quick on the trigger
quick on the trigger
1. Literally, very quick at drawing one's gun in readiness to shoot it. The gunfighter was so quick on the trigger that he often shot his enemies before they reached their own gun.
2. By extension, understanding, anticipating, or reacting to a given situation or circumstance very quickly. You have to be quick on the trigger if you want to get ahead in the world of business. Faced with criticism by environmentalists, the company's PR rep was quick on the trigger and pointed out its important role in job creation for the local community. John is quick on the trigger to defend himself when criticized.
See also: on, quick, trigger
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
quick on the trigger
and quick on the draw1. Lit. quick to draw a gun and shoot. Some of the old cowboys were known to be quick on the trigger. Wyatt Earp was particularly quick on the draw.
2. Fig. quick to respond to anything. John gets the right answer before anyone else. He's really quick on the trigger. Sally will probably win the quiz game. She's really quick on the draw.
See also: on, quick, trigger
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
- be quick on the draw
- quick on the draw
- bunny
- quick march
- sting (one) to the quick
- stung to the quick
- lightning quick
- a bite to eat
- quick as a wink/bunny
- double quick