push/hit/press the panic button
phrase
: to become extremely afraid or nervous when something bad happens or might happen
Medical officials says there is no need to push the panic button over two isolated cases of the disease.
Cite this Entry
“Push/hit/press the panic button.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/push%2Fhit%2Fpress%20the%20panic%20button. Accessed 7 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
