| 单词 | at half cock |
| 释义 | > as lemmasat (also on) half cock 1. With reference to a firearm: the position of the cock (cock n.1 17) or hammer when raised only halfway and held by the catch, from which it cannot be moved by pulling the trigger. Chiefly in at (also on) half cock; see also to go off at half-cock at Phrases. Cf. full cock n. 1.In early use in an apparently common figurative expression, with reference a person's open or gaping mouth; see also quot. 1689 at half-cocked adj. 1. ΘΚΠ society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > action of propelling missile > discharge of firearms > [noun] > half-cock half-cock1745 society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > action of propelling missile > discharge of firearms > [adverb] > cocked at (also on) full cock1744 half-cock1745 at (also on) cock1833 a1676 J. Dunton Hue & Cry after Conscience (1685) 22 The Auditory stood with their Mouths at half cock. 1693 England's Merry Jester 31 Two Country Fellows going by Saint Pauls, as it is now Magnificent in building, says one to the other, (who stood with his Mouth at half Cock), look you here Robin, here's a great House. 1734 J. T. Desaguliers Course Exper. Philos. I. 454 The Gun being at Half-Cock, the Spring acts upon the Tumbler with more Advantage. 1753 Extracts Trial J. Stewart in Scots Mag. Aug. 401/2 The..gun was in use, when going to be snapped, to stand at half cock. 1789 Ann. Reg. 1787 Chron. 211/2 He thought indeed that they had both been fired, notwithstanding the circumstance of the lock being on half cock. 1847 Infantry Man. (1854) 40 The cock is..to be drawn back to the catch of the half-cock. 1875 J. D. Dougall Shooting 173 The rule should be to carry the gun always on half-cock, unless game is immediately before you. 1932 A. Bell Cherry Tree (1985) vi. 62 The one time she swept out before me within easy range my gun happened to be at half-cock! 2014 M. Dugard Explorers 259 The shotgun's empty left barrel and its right barrel were still at half cock. < as lemmas |
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