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
Agustin said workers have brought ideas like in-store panic buttons to the fore in discussions with UFR.
—Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 13 Aug. 2024
The virus is not being passed from person to person – and that why public health officials aren't hitting the panic button.
—Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY, 13 Aug. 2024
The remark caused many Republicans to panic, who have treated Harris’s race as a political third rail.
Republicans immediately started hitting the panic button, with some down-ballot candidates taking Trump’s statements on more directly than others.
—Brady Knox, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 1 Aug. 2024
The bill would expand the use of Byrne-JAG grant funds to cover the installation of panic buttons and surveillance equipment in private businesses.
—Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 30 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for panic button 
Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 13 Aug. 2024
The virus is not being passed from person to person – and that why public health officials aren't hitting the panic button.
—Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY, 13 Aug. 2024
The remark caused many Republicans to panic, who have treated Harris’s race as a political third rail.
Republicans immediately started hitting the panic button, with some down-ballot candidates taking Trump’s statements on more directly than others.
—Brady Knox, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 1 Aug. 2024
The bill would expand the use of Byrne-JAG grant funds to cover the installation of panic buttons and surveillance equipment in private businesses.
—Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 30 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for panic button
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'panic button.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Panic button.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/panic%20button. Accessed 14 Sep. 2024.
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