hair-trigger

1 of 2

adjective

hair-trig·​ger ˈher-ˌtri-gər 

1

: immediately responsive to the slightest stimulus

a hair-trigger temper

2

: delicately adjusted or easily disrupted

hair trigger

2 of 2

noun

: a gun trigger so adjusted as to permit the firearm to be fired by a very slight pressure

Examples of hair-trigger in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Other than that explosive, hair-trigger temper evidenced above. —Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 14 Oct. 2024

Meanwhile, Morrissey ordered more tests to determine whether Baldwin’s gun had a hair-trigger, as the defense team suggested. —Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 13 July 2024

Noun

Moderation is a perennial problem on social media, but based on social media posts and The Verge staff’s own experiences, Meta is currently banning and restricting users on a hair trigger. —Umar Shakir, The Verge, 9 Oct. 2024

At the center of the government's proposal is a $100-billion bid to fill 450 nuclear silos in five inland states with hundreds of new nuclear missiles set to launch on hair triggers. —The Editors, Scientific American, 1 Dec. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1834, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1802, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

hair-trigger

adjective

hair-trig·​ger

-ˌtrig-ər

: immediately responsive : quick entry 1 sense 2c

a hair-trigger temper

Etymology

Adjective

from hair trigger, a trigger adjusted so as to permit a firearm to be fired with very slight pressure