hair trigger

Definition of Hair Trigger in English :

1. hair trigger

a gun trigger that responds with little pressure

WordNet Lexical Database for English. Princeton University. 2010.

Hair Trigger

noun

1.

a trigger of a firearm that responds to very slight pressure

2. informal

a.

any mechanism, reaction, etc, set in operation by slight provocation

b.

(as modifier)

a hair-trigger temper

adjective

set in operation by slight provocation

His boozing, arrogance, and hair-trigger temper have often led him into ugly nightclub brawls.

A hair-trigger situation has been created which could lead to an outbreak of war at any time.

a trigger so delicately adjusted that a very slight pressure on it discharges the firearm

adjective

set in motion or operation by a very slight impulse

n.

A gun trigger adjusted to respond to a very slight pressure.

adj.

Responding to the slightest provocation or stimulation: a hair-trigger temper; a hair-trigger reaction.