| 释义 |
At half cock
| See under Half. | | the position of the cock of a gun when retained by the first notch.- Shak. |
See also: Cock, Half at half cock
at half cock1. Of a gun, with its hammer pulled back half way (as opposed to "full cock," in which the hammer is positioned as far back as possible in order to allow it to be fired with minimal pressure on the trigger). He wasn't going to shoot—his gun was only at half cock.2. By extension, hastily or impulsively, without proper preparation. I'll admit that I went off at half cock when I sent that angry email before finding out what really happened.See also: cock, halfat half cock when only partly ready. informal At half cock is used of a firearm with the cock lifted but not moved to the position at which the trigger will act. It is usually found in go off at half cock or go off half-cocked meaning ‘go ahead without making proper preparation and therefore fail’.See also: cock, half |