half-cock

2 definitions found

half-cock - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  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, 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]

half-cock - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  half-cock
      n 1: confusion resulting from lack of preparation