Don't go off half-cocked without checking the facts first.
go off half-cocked
idiomTo take a premature or ill-considered action.
Origin
disputed origincommonly 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, "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.
He decided to quit his job and move abroad, but his friends warned him not to go off half-cocked without a plan.
The committee urged the director to wait for the full report rather than going off half-cocked and making a decision that could damage the company's reputation.
- 01
all dressed up and nowhere to go
Elaborately attired or otherwise fully prepared for an anticipated situation or activity which, nevertheless, fails to occur.
- 02
all systems go
Everything is ready.
- 03
as you go
While one is doing (something); as one progresses.
- 04
boldly go where no man has gone before
To break new ground.
- 05
come and go
To repeatedly appear and disappear; to be transient.
- 06
don't go there
Do not broach that topic.
- 07
easy come, easy go
Easily won and easily lost (usually said when resigned to a loss; something that comes in the same way, goes in the same way)
- 08
enough to go around
There is an adequate amount or supply of something for all of the people present or involved.
Last updated April 17, 2026