half cock

noun

1

: the position of the hammer of a firearm when about half retracted and held by the sear so that it cannot be operated by a pull on the trigger

2

chiefly British : a state of inadequate preparation or mental confusion

go off at half cock

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1676, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for half cock

• alcock
• beanstalk
• bedrock
• boardwalk
• catwalk
• cornstalk
• crosswalk
• deadlock
• feedstock
• fetlock
• flintlock
• goshawk