trigger happy
Quick to fire
Trigger happy describes someone too eager to shoot a gun, especially without adequate justification.
The phrase extends to anyone quick to act aggressively or impulsively: a trigger-happy cop, trigger-happy executives who fire employees at the first sign of trouble.
The implication is recklessness—acting before thinking.
Carelessly ignoring danger
- hastyExcessively quick, ill-considered
- rashHeedless or skin irritation
- impetuousActing on sudden urge
- reactiveTending to respond
overreactive · jumpy · twitchy · quick-draw · knee-jerk · hotheaded · impatient · precipitate
One who fires weapons
- gunmanArmed violent person
- rapid-fireIn swift succession
- automaticOperating without intervention
- shootingDischarging a weapon
firearms · gunslinger · armed · bullets · ammunition · discharge · misfire · warning shot
Hostile and eager to clash
- combativeInclined toward conflict
- confrontationalInclined toward hostile encounters
- hawkishFavoring aggressive action
- pugnaciousInclined to quarrel
provocative · hostile · antagonistic · bellicose · warlike · quarrelsome · itchy · violent
reckless
Carelessly ignoring danger
reactive · overreactive · jumpy · twitchy · quick-draw · knee-jerk · hotheaded · impatient · precipitate · unthinking
shooter
One who fires weapons
- gunmanArmed violent person
- rapid-fireIn swift succession
- automaticOperating without intervention
shooting · firearms · gunslinger · armed · bullets · ammunition · discharge · misfire · warning shot · friendly fire
belligerent
Hostile and eager to clash
- combativeInclined toward conflict
- confrontationalInclined toward hostile encounters
- hawkishFavoring aggressive action
pugnacious · provocative · hostile · antagonistic · bellicose · warlike · quarrelsome · itchy · violent · forceful
- combat idiomsstab in the back, dodge a bullet, in the crosshairs, fire away, take a shot
- impulsive actionsspur of the moment, on a whim, snap decision, knee-jerk reaction, rush in
- military slangFUBAR, hoorah, devil dog, SNAFU, GI
trigger happycautious
Careful to avoid risk
restrained · measured · deliberate · self-controlled · level-headed
trigger happypacifist
Anti-violence believer
nonviolent · dovish · gentle · peaceable · anti-war
trigger happycareful
Exercising caution and attention
calculating · methodical · judicious · thoughtful · analytical
trigger, happy, triggers, triggered, triggering, unhappy, happily, happiness, unhappiness