hit the panic button

hit the panic button

To overreact to a negative situation with an inordinate amount of fear, alarm, or confusion. If you're going to be a successful boss, you can't hit the panic button every time your company has a minor setback. New parents tend to hit the panic button over every little sniffle their first baby gets. You learn to chill out when you have more kids.
See also: button, hit, panic
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

hit the panic button

 and press the panic button; push the panic button
Fig. to panic suddenly. She hit the panic button and just went to pieces. Don't press the panic button. Relax and keep your eyes open.
See also: button, hit, panic
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

hit the panic button

and press the panic button and push the panic button
tv. to panic. She hit the panic button and just went to pieces. Don’t press the panic button until you think it through.
See also: button, hit, panic
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • press the panic button
  • press/push the panic button
  • push the panic button
  • push the panic button, to
  • fall all over
  • fall all over (one)
  • make a fuss of/over somebody/something
  • make a fuss over (someone or something)
  • make a fuss of (someone or something)
  • fuss over
References in periodicals archive
Thompson is experienced enough to know not to hit the panic button after a single loss in a 54-game campaign.
Thommo: The fun's over now
France, who are considered the most likely team to seize their crown, are next up and while Heaslip refuses to hit the panic button, he admits progress must be made.
Heaslip unfazed; rugby ROUND-UP
Dave Jones has hit the panic button after losing 14-goal strike force Ross McCormack and Jay Bothroyd to hamstring injuries.
Bradford's midfield jinx continues; WEEKEND BRIEFING INJURY BRIEFING
The nurse hit the panic button and, within seconds, 10 or more nurses and medics were in my side ward.
Letter: Your Say - Bloody tale of professionals
Giants coach Jon Sharp is refusing to hit the panic button after his side slumped to a fifth successive Super League XII defeat.
Sharp defiant after fifth defeat
IT'S the time of year when chairmen hit the panic button for Premiership survival and the vultures are circling for several top-flight managers.
Football: LOOKING PARD FOR ALAN; THE BOOKIE WHO REALLY HAS THE POWER
MERTHYR TYDFIL are without a win in eight games and now in danger of being sucked into the Dr Martens Premier relegation zone - but manager Andy Beattie refuses to hit the panic button, writes Ian Hunt.
Football: Beattie tries to avoid panic button
Shiyam hit the panic button then picked up the wasp spray and pointed it at his eyes, forcing him to flee empty handed from the shop in Beeston, Notts.
Gunman must buzz off
ROBERT THORNTON has refused to hit the panic button after his nightmare start to the Premier League.
Rob stays cool after nightmare
Town didn't hit the panic button and added to their tally through Morien with his second and a late Michael Bowman strike, but they were made to sweat for the win when Connor Johnson struck at the other end with four minutes to go.
Howes about that as Blyth maintain form; NORTHERN ALLIANCE PREMIER DIVISION
I HIT the panic button when Gareth Bale twisted his ankle against Basel.
Strugglers might get Baled out
Dundee skipper Stephen O'Donnell insists nobody at Dens Park is about to hit the panic button.
Stephen: No need for panic
But the 19-year-old stood his ground, hit the panic button and then watched as the robber fled with just pounds 20.
Teenager tackles armed robber
Sadly, three average to very poor league displays later, and a mere one point, have seen some supporters looking to hit the panic button already.
Sky Blues' excuses don't cut mustard; Fans' Zone
HARLEQUINS boss Mark Evans refused to hit the panic button despite yesterday's 15-9 defeat by Worcester, which dragged his side a step closer to Premiership relegation, writes Ed Hawkins.
Rugby Union: Sorry Quins fall further into the mire