| 释义 |
half-cocked
half-cocked adj (Firearms, Gunnery, Ordnance & Artillery) (of a firearm) at half-cock half′-cocked′
adj. (of a firearm) held in the position of half cock. Idioms: go off half-cocked, to act or speak impulsively or thoughtlessly. [1800–10] half-cocked - Comes from hunting; a gun at half cock is in the safety position—so it came to mean "incompletely prepared."See also related terms for hunting.Translationshalf-cocked
half-cocked1. Prematurely, impulsively, or rashly. Don't go off half-cocked and say something you'll regret later.2. Drunk. Do you remember last night at the bar at all? You were half-cocked.half-cocked1. mod. unprepared. (see also go off half-cocked.) So he’s half-cocked. So what? 2. mod. alcohol intoxicated. He just sat there, half-cocked and singing. half-cockedPrematurely. Like “flash in the pan,” “half-cocked” is a phrase that comes from old firearms. The firing mechanism of a flintlock pistol or musket could be set at full cock, or ready to be discharged, or half cock, which was the equivalent of having a safety on a revolver. A weapon that went off while half-cocked did so prematurely, just like someone who loses his temper without considering the facts or consequences of a situation. To act too soon, especially in a rash or impetuous fashion, is to go off half-cocked.ThesaurusSeehalf-cock |