Transcription
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
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- [hair trig-er]
- /hɛər ˈtrɪg ər/
- /heə(r) ˈtrɪɡ.ər/
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [hair trig-er]
- /hɛər ˈtrɪg ər/
Definitions of hair-trigger word
- adjective hair-trigger easily activated or set off; reacting immediately to the slightest provocation or cause: a hair-trigger temper. 1
- noun hair-trigger a trigger that allows the firing mechanism of a firearm to be operated by very slight pressure. 1
- adjective hair-trigger If you describe something as hair-trigger, you mean that it is likely to change very violently and suddenly. 0
- noun hair-trigger a trigger of a firearm that responds to very slight pressure 0
- noun hair-trigger any mechanism, reaction, etc, set in operation by slight provocation 0
- noun hair-trigger (as modifier) 0
Information block about the term
Origin of hair-trigger
First appearance:
before 1885 One of the 21% newest English words
First recorded in 1885-90
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Hair-trigger
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
hair-trigger popularity
A pretty common term. Usually people know it’s meaning, but prefer to use a more spread out synonym. About 34% of English native speakers know the meaning and use word.
According to our data about 74% of words is more used. This is a rare but used term. It occurs in the pages of specialized literature and in the speech of educated people.
Synonyms for hair-trigger
adj hair-trigger
- tricky — given to or characterized by deceitful tricks; crafty; wily.
- unpredictable — not predictable; not to be foreseen or foretold: an unpredictable occurrence.
- touchy — apt to take offense on slight provocation; irritable: He is very touchy when he's sick.
- precarious — dependent on circumstances beyond one's control; uncertain; unstable; insecure: a precarious livelihood.
- sensitive — endowed with sensation; having perception through the senses.
Antonyms for hair-trigger
adj hair-trigger
- stable — a building for the lodging and feeding of horses, cattle, etc.
- indelicate — offensive to a sense of generally accepted propriety, modesty, or decency; improper, unrefined, or coarse: indelicate language.
- inelegant — not elegant; lacking in refinement, gracefulness, or good taste.
- robust — strong and healthy; hardy; vigorous: a robust young man; a robust faith; a robust mind.
- healthful — conducive to health; wholesome or salutary: a healthful diet.
See also
Matching words
- Words starting with h
- Words starting with ha
- Words starting with hai
- Words starting with hair
- Words starting with hairt
- Words starting with hairtr
- Words starting with hairtri
- Words starting with hairtrig
- Words starting with hairtrigg
- Words starting with hairtrigge
- Words starting with hairtrigger