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hair-trigger

[ hair-trig-er ]

/ ˈhɛərˌtrɪg ər /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR hair-trigger ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

easily activated or set off; reacting immediately to the slightest provocation or cause: a hair-trigger temper.

Origin of hair-trigger

First recorded in 1885–90

Words nearby hair-trigger

hair transplant, hair trigger, hair's-breadth, hair-raiser, hair-raising, hair-trigger, hairball, hairbrained, hairbreadth, hairbrush, hairbrush cactus

Definition for hair-trigger (2 of 2)

hair trigger

noun

a trigger that allows the firing mechanism of a firearm to be operated by very slight pressure.

Origin of hair trigger

First recorded in 1815–25

Example sentences from the Web for hair-trigger

On gun control, a hair-trigger issue for Republicans who pick the nominee, Christie is in the center or even center–left field.

A Thinner Chris Christie Still Faces Big Political Challenges |Robert Shrum |May 10, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
They would be making themselves a prime, hair-trigger target for Americans and Israelis unwilling to take chances in a crisis.

The Wrong Way on Iran |Leslie H. Gelb |February 21, 2010 |DAILY BEAST
He called me a high-spirited devil with a hair-trigger temper.

The Prairie Wife |Arthur Stringer
After you are better nourished your nervous system will not be on hair-trigger tension, and it will be easier for you.

Diet and Health |Lulu Hunt Peters

Much can be done, however, even in seconds, with a hair-trigger brain and nerves and muscles tensed by the fear of death.

Wild Folk |Samuel Scoville
Three bounds down the stairs took me into the cabin, my pistol forward, my nerves on hair-trigger, ready for anything that moved.

Wings of the Wind |Credo Harris
The Laird of Aberlour presented me with a pair of hair-trigger pistols, and they were never out of my belt for years.

The Smugglers |Charles G. Harper

British Dictionary definitions for hair-trigger

hair trigger

noun

a trigger of a firearm that responds to very slight pressure

informal

any mechanism, reaction, etc, set in operation by slight provocation
(as modifier)a hair-trigger temper