Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • adjective Having a tendency or desire to shoot a firearm before adequately identifying the target.
  • adjective Inclined to react violently at the slightest provocation.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adjective idiomatic Having a tendency or desire to shoot a firearm irresponsibly before adequately identifying the target.
  • adjective idiomatic Inclined to behave recklessly, especially with machinery.
  • adjective idiomatic Inclined to react excessively or violently at the slightest provocation.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adjective marked by extreme intensity of emotions or convictions; inclined to react violently; fervid
  • adjective irresponsible in the use of firearms

Etymologies

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Examples

  • We wanted to find a point of weakness, an issue where the public had serious doubts, so we drew up a list of possibilities: fairness in society, his trigger-happy attitude toward nuclear war, the two-tier economy, his age and mental acuity, and his bellicose approach to foreign affairs.

    The Good Fight Walter F. Mondale 2010

  • We wanted to find a point of weakness, an issue where the public had serious doubts, so we drew up a list of possibilities: fairness in society, his trigger-happy attitude toward nuclear war, the two-tier economy, his age and mental acuity, and his bellicose approach to foreign affairs.

    The Good Fight Walter F. Mondale 2010

  • We wanted to find a point of weakness, an issue where the public had serious doubts, so we drew up a list of possibilities: fairness in society, his trigger-happy attitude toward nuclear war, the two-tier economy, his age and mental acuity, and his bellicose approach to foreign affairs.

    The Good Fight Walter F. Mondale 2010

  • Like cavemen in front of this incredible piece of technology, they have trigger-happy mouse fingers.

    Do I Know You? Fake Friends Adding Fresh Danger To Facebook Bianca Bosker 2011

  • As he withstands tear gas, stun grenades, beatings and rubber bullets (eventually replaced by live ammunition), he displays just as much physical bravery as the trigger-happy terrorist.

    Movie review: 'Budrus,' redefining the cinematic hero Ann Hornaday 2010

  • We had the [Date Lab] cameras, and after a few drinks, we were getting trigger-happy with them.

    Date Lab: She doesn't like to kiss and tell, but ... Post 2010

  • So adding a trigger-happy shooter to this roster doesn't make a whole lot of sense on the surface.

    Knicks Dust Off 'Help Wanted' Sign Kevin Clark 2011

  • Like cavemen in front of this incredible piece of technology, they have trigger-happy mouse fingers.

    Do I Know You? Fake Friends Adding Fresh Danger To Facebook Bianca Bosker 2011

  • What it showed me is how trigger-happy Republicans are, and how hastily they act without thinking of the consequences of their actions.

    CNN Poll: Americans don't want to intervene in Iran election crisis 2009

  • True, China and Russia still backs up Iran, and only if you are trigger-happy (with nuclear weapons involved) you would really provoke those undemocratic (don't tell me that Russia is a democracy when journalists are killed for demanding it and nothing is done about the case) countries.

    Obama: G8 warned Iran against nukes 2009

Comments

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  • I'm only happy when it rains.

    October 24, 2008

  • "'Hands up! English or German,' says the looney Major.

    The American went purple. 'You're fucking lucky I'm anything, it's your trigger-happy fucking Ack-Ack, why don't they make up their minds whose fucking side they are on.'"

    - Spike Milligan, 'Mussolini: My Part In His Downfall.'

    May 14, 2009