itchy trigger finger
The trigger finger of a person eager to fire their weapon or likely to do so unexpectedly.
As jittery as everyone was, there were bound to be some itchy trigger fingers, American and Kuwaiti.
trigger
UK /ˈtɹɪɡə/ US /ˈtɹɪɡɚ/
noun 5verb 4
Collocations
4(noun.)
VERB + TRIGGER
pull, squeeze
tighten on
He tightened on the trigger when he saw the target appear in his sights.
TRIGGER + NOUN
finger
PHRASES
have your finger on the trigger
Definitions
noun
1
A finger-operated lever used to fire a gun.
Just pull the trigger.
[W]e pull'd aſide the Tricker, and obſerv'd, that according to our expectation the force of the Spring of the Lock vvas not ſenſibly abated by the abſence of the Air.
2
A similar device used to activate any mechanism.
3
An event that initiates others, or incites a response.
Sleeping in an unfamiliar room can be a trigger for sleepwalking.
4
A concept or image that upsets somebody by sparking a negative emotional response.
emotional trigger
I can't watch that violent film. Blood is one of my triggers.
5
An event, experience or other stimulus that initiates a traumatic memory or a strong reaction in a person.
verb
1
To fire (a weapon).
A U235 bomb would therefore need to incorporate a gun weighing ten tons. Then there was the question of initiating or triggering the bomb.
2
To cause, to precipitate, to bring (something) about in response or as a result.
The controversial article triggered a deluge of angry letters from readers.
The accident followed torrential early morning rain that triggered widespread flooding across Scotland's tracks, including south of Carmont.
3
To spark a response, especially a negative emotional response, in (a person).
This story contains a rape scene and may be triggering for rape victims.
People get triggered simply by seeing a Trump.
4
To activate; to become active.
Sodium nitrite (750 ppm) was added after the alarm triggered at three hours, and corrosion did not occur for over eight hours.
Thesaurus
Idioms & Phrases
pull the trigger
To fire a gun.
have one's finger on the trigger
To be prepared to kill someone else or as with a firearm.
Example Bank
601
Just pull the trigger.
Wiktionary02
[W]e pull'd aſide the Tricker, and obſerv'd, that according to our expectation the force of the Spring of the Lock vvas not ſenſibly abated by the abſence of the Air.
Wiktionary03
Sleeping in an unfamiliar room can be a trigger for sleepwalking.
Wiktionary04
A U235 bomb would therefore need to incorporate a gun weighing ten tons. Then there was the question of initiating or triggering the bomb.
Wiktionary05
The controversial article triggered a deluge of angry letters from readers.
Wiktionary06
The accident followed torrential early morning rain that triggered widespread flooding across Scotland's tracks, including south of Carmont.
WiktionaryUsage Notes
i Register
In some senses, trigger is marked as figuratively. Watch for register when choosing this word.
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