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pull the trigger


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WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025
trig•ger /ˈtrɪgɚ/USA pronunciation   n. [countable]
  1. a small tongue in a gun that, when pressed by the finger, fires the gun.
  2. a device pulled or pressed to release something.
  3. anything that causes a reaction:a trigger for the fight.

v. [~ + object]
  1. to cause or begin (a chain of events):Inflation triggered unemployment.
  2. to fire or explode (a gun, etc.) by pulling a trigger.
Idioms
  1. Idioms, Informal Terms quick on the trigger, too quick to act or respond;
    impetuous:He was too quick on the trigger and wound up losing the deal.


WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025
trig•ger  (trig′ər),USA pronunciation n. 
  1. a small projecting tongue in a firearm that, when pressed by the finger, actuates the mechanism that discharges the weapon.
  2. a device, as a lever, the pulling or pressing of which releases a detent or spring.
  3. anything, as an act or event, that serves as a stimulus and initiates or precipitates a reaction or series of reactions.
  4. [Slang.]triggerman.
  5. quick on the trigger, [Informal.]quick to act or respond;
    impetuous;
    alert.

v.t. 
  1. to initiate or precipitate (a chain of events, scientific reaction, psychological process, etc.):Their small protest triggered a mass demonstration.
  2. to fire or explode (a gun, missile, etc.) by pulling a trigger or releasing a triggering device:He accidentally triggered his rifle.

v.i. 
  1. Economicsto release a trigger.
  2. to become active;
    activate.
  • Dutch trekker, equivalent. to trekk(en) to pull + -er -er1
  • earlier tricker 1615–25

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
trigger / ˈtrɪɡə/
  1. a small projecting lever that activates the firing mechanism of a firearm
  2. a device that releases a spring-loaded mechanism or a similar arrangement
  3. any event that sets a course of action in motion
 (transitive)
  1. (usually followed by off) to give rise (to); set off
  2. to fire or set in motion by or as by pulling a trigger
  3. to cause (a person) to relive a traumatic experience
Etymology: 17th Century tricker, from Dutch trekker, from trekken to pull; see trek

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