half-cocked
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
To Rafael’s bildungsroman amid half-cocked terrorists and a love triangle with their leaders, add a spy-novel parody, a kaleidoscopic Christ narrative, a battery of literary references and a portrait of Cuban life under socialism.
From New York Times • Sep. 2, 2022
If the hammer was quarter or half-cocked, the gun “could not be made to fire without a pull of the trigger,” per the report cited by ABC News.
From Washington Times • Aug. 13, 2022
Even though Musk’s tactics this month appeared unconventional or even half-cocked, merger-and-acquisition experts say his strategy incorporated sound negotiation principles — with a twist of his distinctive, unpredictable style.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 25, 2022
Others were also unenthusiastic, with Henry Hitchings giving it two stars in The Evening Standard, and The Hollywood Reporter describing it as "half-cocked".
From BBC • Jun. 6, 2018
She was watching him with her head half-cocked, and he noticed a sly smile turning up the corners of her mouth.
From "Huntress" by Malinda Lo
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From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.