Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- adjective Having a tendency or desire to shoot a firearm before adequately identifying the target.
- adjective Inclined to react violently at the slightest provocation.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- adjective idiomatic Having a
tendency ordesire toshoot afirearm irresponsibly beforeadequately identifying thetarget . - adjective idiomatic Inclined to
behave recklessly , especially with machinery. - adjective idiomatic Inclined to
react excessively orviolently at theslightest provocation .
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- adjective marked by extreme intensity of emotions or convictions; inclined to react violently; fervid
- adjective irresponsible in the use of firearms
Etymologies
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Examples
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We wanted to find a point of weakness, an issue where the public had serious doubts, so we drew up a list of possibilities: fairness in society, his trigger-happy attitude toward nuclear war, the two-tier economy, his age and mental acuity, and his bellicose approach to foreign affairs.
The Good Fight Walter F. Mondale 2010
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We wanted to find a point of weakness, an issue where the public had serious doubts, so we drew up a list of possibilities: fairness in society, his trigger-happy attitude toward nuclear war, the two-tier economy, his age and mental acuity, and his bellicose approach to foreign affairs.
The Good Fight Walter F. Mondale 2010
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We wanted to find a point of weakness, an issue where the public had serious doubts, so we drew up a list of possibilities: fairness in society, his trigger-happy attitude toward nuclear war, the two-tier economy, his age and mental acuity, and his bellicose approach to foreign affairs.
The Good Fight Walter F. Mondale 2010
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Like cavemen in front of this incredible piece of technology, they have trigger-happy mouse fingers.
Do I Know You? Fake Friends Adding Fresh Danger To Facebook Bianca Bosker 2011
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As he withstands tear gas, stun grenades, beatings and rubber bullets (eventually replaced by live ammunition), he displays just as much physical bravery as the trigger-happy terrorist.
Movie review: 'Budrus,' redefining the cinematic hero Ann Hornaday 2010
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We had the [Date Lab] cameras, and after a few drinks, we were getting trigger-happy with them.
Date Lab: She doesn't like to kiss and tell, but ... Post 2010
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So adding a trigger-happy shooter to this roster doesn't make a whole lot of sense on the surface.
Knicks Dust Off 'Help Wanted' Sign Kevin Clark 2011
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Like cavemen in front of this incredible piece of technology, they have trigger-happy mouse fingers.
Do I Know You? Fake Friends Adding Fresh Danger To Facebook Bianca Bosker 2011
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What it showed me is how trigger-happy Republicans are, and how hastily they act without thinking of the consequences of their actions.
CNN Poll: Americans don't want to intervene in Iran election crisis 2009
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True, China and Russia still backs up Iran, and only if you are trigger-happy (with nuclear weapons involved) you would really provoke those undemocratic (don't tell me that Russia is a democracy when journalists are killed for demanding it and nothing is done about the case) countries.
whichbe commented on the word trigger-happy
I'm only happy when it rains.
October 24, 2008
bilby commented on the word trigger-happy
"'Hands up! English or German,' says the looney Major.
The American went purple. 'You're fucking lucky I'm anything, it's your trigger-happy fucking Ack-Ack, why don't they make up their minds whose fucking side they are on.'"
- Spike Milligan, 'Mussolini: My Part In His Downfall.'
May 14, 2009