gun trigger

The part of a firearm that is pressed to fire the weapon; also used metaphorically to refer to the action or mechanism that initiates a process or event.

• 🇫🇷Pièce d'une arme à feu que l'on presse pour tirer ; également utilisé métaphoriquement pour désigner une action ou un mécanisme qui déclenche un processus ou un événement.

1. Mechanical part of a firearm B1 formal

   A small lever or button on a gun that is pulled to fire the weapon.

   • He placed his finger on the gun trigger.
   • The safety lock prevents the gun trigger from being pulled accidentally.
   • She pulled the gun trigger and the shot rang out.

   🇫🇷détente d'arme à feu

2. Figurative: cause or catalyst B2 informal

   Something that initiates or sets off a reaction, event, or process.

   • The news acted as a gun trigger for widespread protests.
   • His comment was the gun trigger that started the argument.
   • The economic crisis was the gun trigger for major policy changes.

   🇫🇷déclencheur