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

And though a restless, hair-trigger sort of mood has enveloped Madrid for much of the season, their campaign retains considerable promise. —Rory Smith, The Athletic, 10 Feb. 2025

Microsoft has refined every aspect of this controller and added some great new additions like adjustable-tension thumbsticks, even shorter hair-trigger locks, USB-C, and Bluetooth connectivity. —Quentyn Kennemer, The Verge, 19 Dec. 2024

Noun

The frantic trading, which sent stocks spiking before plummeting again, showed how investors are operating on a hair trigger and are eager for any sign of encouraging news. —Chris Megerian, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2025

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

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1834, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1802, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for hair-trigger

• obligor
• outrigger
• bigger
• digger
• jigger
• rigger
• rigor
• trigger
• vigor
• gravedigger

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