{To go off half-cocked}, {To go off halfcocked}. (a) To be discharged prematurely, or with the trigger at half cock; -- said of a firearm. (b) To do or say something without due thought or care. [Colloq. or Low] [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
Halfcock — Half cock ( k[o^]k ), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Halfcocked}( k[o^]kt); p. pr. & vb. n. {Halfcocking}.] To set the cock of (a firearm) at the first notch. [1913 Webster] {To go off half cocked}, {To go off halfcocked}. (a) To be discharged prematurely … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Halfcocked — Halfcock Half cock ( k[o^]k ), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Halfcocked}( k[o^]kt); p. pr. & vb. n. {Halfcocking}.] To set the cock of (a firearm) at the first notch. [1913 Webster] {To go off half cocked}, {To go off halfcocked}. (a) To be discharged… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
To go off half-cocked — Halfcock Half cock ( k[o^]k ), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Halfcocked}( k[o^]kt); p. pr. & vb. n. {Halfcocking}.] To set the cock of (a firearm) at the first notch. [1913 Webster] {To go off half cocked}, {To go off halfcocked}. (a) To be discharged… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
To go off halfcocked — Halfcock Half cock ( k[o^]k ), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Halfcocked}( k[o^]kt); p. pr. & vb. n. {Halfcocking}.] To set the cock of (a firearm) at the first notch. [1913 Webster] {To go off half cocked}, {To go off halfcocked}. (a) To be discharged… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
