trigger finger

noun

1. any finger, usually the forefinger, that presses the trigger of a gun.
2. either forefinger, depending on which hand is dominant.
3. Pathology. difficulty in straightening or bending a ring finger, caused by inflammation and thickening of its tendon.

Word History and Origins

Origin of trigger finger¹

First recorded in 1820–30

Example Sentences

In court papers, both sides described bump stocks as an add-on to a rifle that uses recoil to “bump” the gun back into the trigger finger of the shooter — firing faster than usual.

From Seattle Times

That definition rested on a single pull of the trigger, not of the trigger finger, the majority of the court wrote.

From Seattle Times

Most of its one-hour run time is devoted to the toasts, whose lewd and heroic narrators include Shine, the sole Black survivor of the Titanic; Signifying Monkey, the trickster of the jungle; and Stagger Lee, an outlaw with an eager trigger finger.

From New York Times

Now dealing with an injury to what is literally his trigger finger, Herbert is looking at trying to come back for a team that is 5-8 and all but mathematically eliminated from playoff contention.

From Los Angeles Times

A shooter must maintain constant forward pressure on the weapon with the non-shooting hand and constant pressure on the trigger with the trigger finger, according to court records.

From Washington Times