at full cock
at full cock
(of a firearm) with the cock lifted to the position at which the trigger will act
at half cock
when only partly ready – informal
At half cock is used of a firearm with the cock lifted but not moved to the position at which the trigger will act. It is usually found in go off at half cock or go off half-cocked meaning go ahead without making proper preparation and therefore fail.
Related Idioms :
a cock-and-bull story
a ridiculous and implausible story
The expression talk of a cock and a bull is recorded from the early 17th century and apparently refers to an original story or fable which is now lost.
cock a snook at
openly show contempt or a lack of respect for someone or something – informal - chiefly British
Literally, if you cock a snook, you place your hand so that your thumb touches your nose and your fingers are spread out in order to express contempt.
Recorded from the late 8th century, the expression's origins are uncertain as are those of the gesture itself which occurs under a variety of names and in many countries, the earliest definite mention of it being by Rabelais in 1532.
cock of the walk
someone who dominates others within a group
The places in which cocks bred for fighting were kept were known as walks….one cock would be kept in each walk and would tolerate no other birds in its space.
at full cock :
Idioms Index – Previous Page
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