half-cocked
[ haf-kokt, hahf- ]
/ ˈhæfˈkɒkt, ˈhɑf- /
adjective
(of a firearm) at the position of half cock.
lacking mature consideration or enough preparation; ill-considered or ill-prepared; half-baked.
Idioms for half-cocked
go off half-cocked,
to act or happen prematurely: He went off half-cocked and told everyone the news.
Also go off at half cock.
Origin of half-cocked
First recorded in 1800–10
Words nearby half-cocked
half-cell,
half-century,
half-circle,
half-closed,
half-cock,
half-cocked,
half-completed,
half-concealed,
half-conscious,
half-convinced,
half-cooked
Definition for half-cocked (2 of 2)
half-cock
[ haf-kok, hahf- ]
/ ˈhæfˈkɒk, ˈhɑf- /
verb (used with object)
to set the hammer of (a firearm) at half cock.
Origin of half-cock
First recorded in 1825–35
Example sentences from the Web for half-cocked
British Dictionary definitions for half-cocked (1 of 2)
half-cocked
adjective
(of a firearm) at half-cock
British Dictionary definitions for half-cocked (2 of 2)
half-cock
noun
on a single-action firearm, a halfway position in which the hammer can be set for safety; in this position the trigger is cocked by the hammer which cannot reach the primer to fire the weapon
go off at half-cock or go off half-cocked
- to fail as a result of inadequate preparation or premature starting
- to act or function prematurely