Half-cock

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  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]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  half-cock
       n : confusion resulting from lack of preparation