half cock

¹

[ haf kok ]

noun

1. the position of the hammer of a firearm when held halfway to the fully retracted position by a mechanism that prevents it from being released and firing the gun when the trigger is pulled. Compare full cock ( def ).

half-cock

²

[ haf-kok, hahf- ]

verb (used with object)

1. to set the hammer of (a firearm) at half cock.

half-cock

noun

1. on a single-action firearm, a halfway position in which the hammer can be set for safety; in this position the trigger is cocked by the hammer which cannot reach the primer to fire the weapon
2. go off at half-cock or go off half-cocked
   1. to fail as a result of inadequate preparation or premature starting
   2. to act or function prematurely

Word History and Origins

Origin of half cock¹

First recorded in 1695–1705

Origin of half cock²

First recorded in 1825–35