English Reference
Idiom idiom

itchy trigger finger


The metaphorical trigger finger of a person with a tendency or readiness to act in haste or without consideration; a tendency to so act.

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


SIMPLE

He has an itchy trigger finger and makes decisions too quickly.

CONTEXTUAL

The manager has an itchy trigger finger and often fires employees before giving them a chance to improve.

COMPLEX

The diplomat warned that an itchy trigger finger during these sensitive negotiations could lead to an unnecessary and disastrous conflict between the two nations.


Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    all fingers and thumbs

    Of a person, clumsy or awkward.

  2. 02

    burn one's fingers

    To harm oneself; to suffer consequences of one's actions.

  3. 03

    fat finger

    A supposed cause of typographical errors, especially keyboard errors, caused from erroneous key presses or typing errors on touchscreen devices.

  4. 04

    finger in the pie

    A share in the doing of something; involvement.

  5. 05

    finger to the wind

    An attention to or focus on or awareness of current or prevailing trends, public opinion, or shifting circumstances.

  6. 06

    fucked by the fickle finger of fate

    Victimized by bad luck.

  7. 07

    get one's finger out

    To proceed with the matter in hand.

  8. 08

    get one's fingers burnt

    To suffer relatively minor, adversive, and unexpected harm.

Last updated August 10, 2026