trigger-happy
Quick to fire
Trigger-happy describes someone who is too quick to shoot a gun, often without proper justification or caution.
The term extends beyond firearms to characterize anyone prone to hasty, aggressive action: trigger-happy cops, trigger-happy executives firing employees at the first sign of trouble.
It suggests recklessness and poor judgment rather than measured response.
Heedless or skin irritation
- hastyExcessively quick, ill-considered
- knee-jerkInstinctive and unconsidered
- recklessCarelessly ignoring danger
- hotheadedEasily provoked to anger
precipitate · impetuous · unthinking · heedless · incautious · overreactive · jumpy · quick-draw
Hostile and eager to clash
- combativeInclined toward conflict
- hostileAggressively unfriendly
- confrontationalInclined toward hostile encounters
- pugnaciousInclined to quarrel
bellicose · antagonistic · quarrelsome · violent · warmongering · militant · hawkish · escalatory
Projectile-launching weapon
- pistolCompact one-handed firearm
- revolverPistol with rotating chamber
- rifleLong-barreled shoulder weapon
- shotgunLong gun firing shot
holster · bullet · ammunition · shooting · shooter · gunfire · marksman · armed
Prone to sudden detonation
- unpredictableCannot be anticipated
- temperamentalEasily upset, unpredictable
- edgyTense and irritable
- tenseStrained or nervous
jittery · nervous · skittish · touchy · irritable · restless · on-edge · high-strung
Armed forces member
- combatArmed hostile engagement
- soldierArmed forces member
- infantryGround combat troops
- patrolRegular surveillance route
sentry · guard · checkpoint · overzealous · militarized · escalation
rash
Heedless or skin irritation
- hastyExcessively quick, ill-considered
- knee-jerkInstinctive and unconsidered
- recklessCarelessly ignoring danger
hotheaded · precipitate · impetuous · unthinking · heedless · incautious · overreactive · jumpy · quick-draw · overeager
belligerent
Hostile and eager to clash
- combativeInclined toward conflict
- hostileAggressively unfriendly
- confrontationalInclined toward hostile encounters
pugnacious · bellicose · antagonistic · quarrelsome · violent · warmongering · militant · hawkish · escalatory · provocative
gun
Projectile-launching weapon
- pistolCompact one-handed firearm
- revolverPistol with rotating chamber
- rifleLong-barreled shoulder weapon
shotgun · holster · bullet · ammunition · shooting · shooter · gunfire · marksman · armed · sidearm
explosive
Prone to sudden detonation
- unpredictableCannot be anticipated
- temperamentalEasily upset, unpredictable
- edgyTense and irritable
tense · jittery · nervous · skittish · touchy · irritable · restless · on-edge · high-strung · hot-tempered
soldier
Armed forces member
patrol · sentry · guard · checkpoint · overzealous · militarized · escalation
trigger-happycautious
Careful to avoid risk
restrained · hesitant · reluctant · measured · deliberate
trigger-happymild
Moderate in intensity
peaceful · calm · pacifist · nonviolent · gun-shy
trigger-happyresponsible
Obligated to answer for actions
prudent · level-headed · judicious · thoughtful · sensible
trigger, triggers, triggered, triggering, hair-trigger, triggerfish, triggerman, itchy trigger finger, untriggered