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Half-cock for Dummies

noun

pronunciation: hæf_kɑk

What does Half-cock really mean?

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Alright, so "half-cock" is a term that's often used in relation to firearms. When you half-cock a gun, it means that you partially pull back the hammer to a mid-position, which makes the trigger unable to release the firing pin. It's a safety feature that helps prevent accidental discharge of the gun.

Think of it like this - imagine you have a toy car with a pull-back mechanism. When you pull the car back halfway, it's not fully ready to zoom forward. It's kind of like being in a halfway position, just like when a gun is at half-cock, it's not fully ready to fire.

So, when someone uses the term "half-cock" in relation to a gun, they're talking about the position of the hammer and trigger, and how it's a safety measure to help prevent accidents. It's like putting a safety lock on the gun to make sure it doesn't go off when you don't want it to.

In another context, "half-cock" can also mean someone is partially prepared or not fully ready for something. It's like being halfway ready for a test or a game - you're not fully prepared, but not completely unprepared either. So, when you hear someone say "half-cock" in this context, they might be talking about being somewhat prepared but not fully so.

In summary, "half-cock" can refer to the safety position of the hammer and trigger on a firearm, or it can also mean being partially prepared or not fully ready for something.

Revised and Fact checked by James Lee on 2023-11-15 15:10:44

Half-cock In a sentece

Learn how to use Half-cock inside a sentece

  • When you only open the tap halfway and the water trickles out, that's a half-cock.
  • If you don't push the door all the way closed and it keeps swinging back, that's a half-cock.
  • Imagine you are playing soccer and you kick the ball, but it only goes halfway towards the goal, that's a half-cock.
  • When you try to draw a straight line, but your hand slips and the line is only half straight, that's a half-cock.
  • You have a sandwich with two slices of bread, but you forget to put anything in between, that's a half-cock.

Half-cock Hypernyms

Words that are more generic than the original word.