hair-trigger

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Pronunciation

• (Canada) IPA: /ˈhɛɹˌtɹɪɡɝ/

Noun

hair-trigger (plural hair-triggers)

1. a trigger that will set off a firearm when even a very small pressure is applied
   • 1847: Francis Parkman, The Oregon Trail

     ... the hunter brings the sight of his rifle to bear; lightly and delicately his finger presses upon the hair-trigger.

   • 1872: Mark Twain, Roughing It

     Is your laugh hung on a hair-trigger?--that is, is it critical, or can you get it off easy?

Translations

• Spanish: gatillo de pleo

Adjective

hair-trigger (not comparable)

1. unstable, in a situation that could be worsened by the slightest mistake
2. easily angered, having a short temper

   Synonyms: hair-triggered

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