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

The building is infamously stubborn, with decades-old antibodies on hair-trigger alert for anything too radical. —Colin Demarest, Axios, 20 Nov. 2024

For all its Formula One credentials, for all its flashy virility and hair-trigger handling, the McLaren also sets a new supercar standard for inner peace. —IEEE Spectrum, 28 Mar. 2012

Noun

So any surprise is going to set off that hair trigger that he's been trying to cover up instead of working on being slower to anger. —Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 6 Nov. 2024

The number of applause breaks throughout the set was staggering, the audience’s threshold apparently set to a hair trigger. —Joe Berkowitz, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2024

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