hair triggers
Extremely sensitive mechanisms
Hair triggers are gun triggers requiring minimal pressure to fire, designed for rapid response.
The term extends to anything that activates with slight provocation: hair-trigger reflexes, a hair-trigger temper.
Someone with a hair trigger reacts instantly and intensely to small stimuli—often implying dangerous volatility.
- sensitiveEasily affected emotionally
- firearmsWeapons using explosive propulsion
- quick drawRapid weapon retrieval
- fire at willCommand permitting unrestricted shooting
- responseAnswer to stimulus
split second · reactivity · activation · fine-tuning · set point · irritability · quick-tempered · on edge · threshold · impulsivity · overreaction · fly off the handle · touchy · volatility · tipping point · precision · knee-jerk · pressure
hair triggersequanimity
Unshakable mental steadiness
unflappability · imperturbability · cool heads · patience · composure
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