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trigger

Definition

  • noun: a lever on a gun that you pull to fire the gun
  • noun: a piece (as a lever) connected with a catch or detent as a means of releasing it
  • verb: to cause (something, such as an alarm) to start functioning
  • verb: to release or activate by means of a trigger
  • often + 'for'

Examples

  • Police officers are trained to not be too 'quick on the trigger'. [=eager to fire a gun]

  • The timer was set to 'trigger' the bomb in exactly one hour.

  • The faulty wire was the 'trigger for' the explosion.

Movie quotes

  • (..) kill myself to wake up, right? I wouldn't do that if I were you, Mr. Fischer. I believe they have you sedated, and if you pull that trigger... ...you may not wake up. You may go into a further dream state. Now, you know what I'm talking about. You remember the training. Remember what I said to you. (..)
    2010 Inception