| 单词 | to go off half-cock |
| 释义 | > as lemmasto go off (at) half-cock Phrases to go off (at) half-cock. Now chiefly British. a. Of a firearm: to be fired with the cock or hammer raised only halfway, i.e. in a position in which the catch would normally prevent the firing of the weapon; (hence) to be fired accidentally or prematurely; = to go off half-cocked (see half-cocked adj. Phrases a). Π 1744 E. Kimber Relation Exped. Gates of St. Augustine 25 One of the Centries from the Guard..had the Misfortune to have his Piece go off, at Half-Cock. 1753 D. Henry Hist. Descr. Tower of London 37 Dog-locks..have a Ketch to secure them from going off at Half-cock. 1875 Philadelphia Inquirer 16 Sept. 1/4 The weapon went off half-cock. 1910 H. Scribner Mem. Lucas County I. xvii. 408 If it went off at half-cock the projection from the hammer would leave a certain indenture in the shell of the cartridge. 2016 S. Ferguson Post Office in Ireland (e-book ed.) This petition also suggested the gun might not have been in perfect repair and went off at half-cock. b. Of a person: to speak or act rashly, impetuously, or prematurely, esp. so as to fail in achieving or completing one's objective; = to go off half-cocked (see half-cocked adj. Phrases b). ΘΠ the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > untimeliness > [verb (intransitive)] > be premature (in acting) to go off half-cocked1833 break1897 to beat (also jump) the gun1933 the world > action or operation > undertaking > preparation > unpreparedness > act or speak without preparation [verb (intransitive)] to go off half-cocked1833 1834 Working Man's Advocate (N.Y.) 25 Oct. He is very apt (if we may be allowed the expression) to go off at half cock. 1862 J. R. Lowell Biglow Papers 2nd Ser. i. ii. 38 Now don't go off half-cock. 1933 C. St. J. Sprigg Fatality in Fleet St. xi. 142 If you would listen to me, instead of going off at half-cock. 1965 Economist 9 Oct. 111/2 An analysis of the coup that went off half-cock. 2003 E. Noble Reading Group 167 She probably knew you'd go off at half cock. < as lemmas |
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