Note: The translation for this entry is currently under quality review. Some content is temporarily displayed in English only.
trigger
The word carries a sharp, sudden energy. It describes a precise point of transition where a small action leads to a large, often irreversible, consequence. This creates a feeling of volatility or high sensitivity, where a system is poised on the edge of activation.
In psychological contexts, the term has shifted from a mechanical metaphor to a clinical descriptor. It suggests an involuntary reaction, implying that the person is not choosing the response but is being acted upon by an external stimulus that unlocks a stored emotional state.
Countable when referring to the physical metal lever on a firearm or a specific event that causes a reaction. Uncountable when referring to the general concept of triggering as a process.
💬Casual Conversation
this professor's voice is such a trigger for my anxiety. i'm literally losing it.
damn that's crazy. just tune out.
Meanings
Examples
He carefully pulled the trigger to fire the rifle.
Stress can be a common trigger for migraines.
The smoke triggered the building's fire alarm system.
The alarm will trigger if the motion sensor is tripped.
Phrasal Verbs
trigger off
to cause a sudden reaction or the activation of a device
The sudden movement triggered off the silent alarm in the gallery.