panic button

A literal or figurative button that is pressed in an emergency to trigger an alarm or alert; also used idiomatically to describe a situation where someone reacts with extreme fear or urgency.

• 🇨🇳紧急情况下按下的按钮，用于触发警报或求助；也比喻人在恐慌或危急时做出的极端反应。

1. Emergency alarm B1 formal

   A button that triggers an alarm or alerts security in an emergency situation.

   • The bank teller pressed the panic button when the robber entered.
   • Every security guard knows where the panic button is located.
   • The panic button is connected directly to the police station.

   🇨🇳紧急按钮

2. React with fear B2 informal

   To react to a situation with sudden fear or anxiety, often causing irrational behavior.

   • When the stock market crashed, many investors hit the panic button.
   • Don't hit the panic button just because you lost your keys.
   • The team hit the panic button after losing three games in a row.

   🇨🇳惊慌失措