Speakur

Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

go off half-cocked

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.93 in modern English

Syllables
go of-f half--cocked
IPA
37
Scrabble Score
15
Letters
4
Syllables
10
Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To take a premature or ill-considered action.

Colloquial

Example Sentences

Etymology

Commonly believed to be from the days of flintlock and caplock firearms, where the half-cock position of the hammer was both a rudimentary safety and the proper position for priming the pan or inserting a percussion cap. The phrase was originally rendered as "to go off at half-cock." However, this expression comes from archery. The coloured feather on an arrow is called the cock feather. The arrow must be drawn back fully so the arrow will fly the furthest distance. Going off half cocked means the arrow will not achieve its full power and not reach its target.

Usage

Inflected Forms

goes off half-cocked (present, singular) going off half-cocked (participle, present) went off half-cocked (past) gone off half-cocked (participle, past) go off halfcocked (alternative) go off at halfcock (alternative) go off at half cock (alternative)

Phrases

flash in the pan lock, stock and barrel

Frequently Paired Words

flash in the pan lock, stock and barrel

Synonyms

go off at half-cock

Questions

What does go off half-cocked mean?
To take a premature or ill-considered action.
Where does go off half-cocked come from?
Commonly believed to be from the days of flintlock and caplock firearms, where the half-cock position of the hammer was both a rudimentary safety and the proper position for priming the pan or inserting a percussion cap. The phrase was originally rendered as "to go off at half-cock." However, this expression comes from archery. The coloured feather on an arrow is called the cock feather. The arrow must be drawn back fully so the arrow will fly the furthest distance. Going off half cocked means the arrow will not achieve its full power and not reach its target.

How to pronounce go off half-cocked

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