panic button
noun
: something setting off a precipitous emergency response
there was no pushing of panic buttons at the White House, no rushing of troops—
J. C. Harsch
J. C. HarschExamples of panic button in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Yates repeatedly pressed the panic button inside the cell, but no one came, according to testimony at defendant Alvin Ruis’ preliminary hearing.
—Kelly Davis, The Mercury News, 23 Dec. 2024
Why are car makers 'hitting the panic button'? This year, poor demand for EVs means manufacturers have struggled to meet the government's targets.
—Abby Wilson, theweek, 28 Nov. 2024
Authorities get the first calls of an active shooter on campus at 10:20 a.m. after someone presses a wearable panic button issued just a week earlier to teachers, the sheriff said.
—Emma Tucker, CNN, 15 Sep. 2024
Some election offices — including those in the seven swing states likely to decide the election — have installed bulletproof glass, panic buttons or video surveillance in their headquarters to protect staff amid concerns of violence.
—Russell Contreras, Axios, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for panic button 
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Kelly Davis, The Mercury News, 23 Dec. 2024
Why are car makers 'hitting the panic button'? This year, poor demand for EVs means manufacturers have struggled to meet the government's targets.
—Abby Wilson, theweek, 28 Nov. 2024
Authorities get the first calls of an active shooter on campus at 10:20 a.m. after someone presses a wearable panic button issued just a week earlier to teachers, the sheriff said.
—Emma Tucker, CNN, 15 Sep. 2024
Some election offices — including those in the seven swing states likely to decide the election — have installed bulletproof glass, panic buttons or video surveillance in their headquarters to protect staff amid concerns of violence.
—Russell Contreras, Axios, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for panic button
Dictionary Entries Near panic button
Cite this Entry
“Panic button.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/panic%20button. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
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