trigger
/ˈtrɪɡ.ər/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈtrɪɡ.ɚ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈtri-gər/ (ame, mw) · /ˈtrɪɡə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈtrɪɡər/ (ame, ipa)
trigger — noun
- triggersingular
- triggersplural
1. the small curved piece of metal on a gun that you press with your finger to make
the small curved piece of metal on a gun that you press with your finger to make the weapon fire
Obi pressed the trigger slowly, and the rifle fired with a loud bang.
press/pull/squeeze the trigger — verb + trigger collocations
The security guard kept his finger on the trigger as he searched the dark room.
finger on the trigger — idiom showing readiness
A trigger lock can prevent children from accidentally firing a gun.
Andrei pulled the trigger, but the old gun made no sound at all.
The hunter squeezed the trigger gently and brought down the deer in one shot.
文法句型
pull/squeeze/press + trigger
用法筆記
This noun sense appears in common fixed phrases: pull the trigger, squeeze the trigger, and press the trigger. The word trigger alone can also form compound nouns such as trigger lock (a safety device) and trigger finger (the finger used to fire).
常見錯誤
2. an event, situation, or piece of information that directly causes a series of de
an event, situation, or piece of information that directly causes a series of developments or a chain of actions to begin
The sudden rise in oil prices was the trigger for a global economic slowdown.
be the trigger for [event] — noun pattern showing causation
Shirin's careless remark became the trigger for a bitter argument between the two families.
A single complaint from a customer can serve as the trigger that starts an investigation.
The CEO's surprise resignation was the trigger that led to major changes inside the company.
Climate scientists want to identify the trigger of each drought before it spreads across regions.
- consequence
the result that follows the starting event
- effect
what happens after the trigger sets things in motion
文法句型
trigger for [event]
trigger of [event]
serve as a trigger
用法筆記
The most common prepositional pattern is trigger for [outcome], though trigger of is also used, especially in formal or scientific writing. The phrase serve as a trigger is a formal alternative to 'be the trigger.' Unlike sense 3 (TRAUMA REMINDER), this sense does not carry a psychological or emotional connotation.
常見錯誤
3. something in the present surroundings — such as a smell, sound, image, or situat
something in the present surroundings — such as a smell, sound, image, or situation — that causes a person to suddenly experience a painful memory or strong emotional distress linked to past trauma
For Isabela, rain was a trigger that brought back memories of a serious crash.
trigger that + verb — showing immediate psychological reaction
The therapist asked Aoi to list her personal triggers so they could work on each.
personal triggers / emotional triggers — common compound noun in therapy
Loud sounds like a car backfiring can be a serious trigger for war veterans.
Meera avoids action films because explosions are a trigger she cannot control.
Sari told her friends about her triggers so they would not joke about the accident.
文法句型
trigger for [person]
personal trigger
emotional trigger
用法筆記
This sense is common in clinical psychology and trauma-informed care. The phrase personal triggers or my triggers is used to describe an individual's specific sensitivities. Unlike sense 2 (STARTING CAUSE), this sense exclusively describes emotional or psychological responses connected to past trauma. Be aware that in everyday conversation some speakers use trigger loosely for anything that annoys them, but the precise meaning remains tied to trauma recall.
常見錯誤
trigger — verb
- triggerpresent simple I / you / we / they
- triggershe / she / it
- triggeredpast simple
- triggering-ing form
1. to make something suddenly begin to happen or operate, especially a process, dev
to make something suddenly begin to happen or operate, especially a process, device, or chain of events that was previously inactive
The smoke from the burnt toast triggered the fire alarm in the hallway.
trigger + alarm/sensor/device — activating a mechanism
Lukas's comments about the budget triggered a heated debate among the club members.
Eating even a small amount of peanuts can trigger a serious allergic reaction.
The new factory policy triggered protests from workers across the whole region.
Scientists believe the undersea earthquake could trigger a tsunami along the coast.
- cause
broader and more neutral; does not imply suddenness or a chain reaction
- set off
phrasal verb, very similar meaning; slightly more informal than 'trigger'
- spark
suggests starting something emotional or controversial (spark a debate, spark anger)
- activate
more technical; typically used for devices or systems rather than emotions or events
文法句型
trigger + noun phrase
trigger [event/process/device]
用法筆記
Frequently used with alarm, response, debate, reaction, protest, chain reaction, and change as the direct object. The passive form (be triggered by) is common in both formal and informal contexts. Unlike sense 2 (TRAUMA REACTION), this sense applies to physical events, devices, and neutral or positive processes, not exclusively negative emotional reactions.
常見錯誤
2. to cause someone to suddenly feel a powerful negative emotion such as fear, grie
to cause someone to suddenly feel a powerful negative emotion such as fear, grief, or panic, because something in the present reminds them of a painful event they experienced in the past
The sound of breaking glass triggered Élise, and she began to tremble uncontrollably.
trigger + [person] — direct transitive usage
The old photograph on the shelf triggered Christopher and brought tears to his eyes.
Sari was triggered by a comment her classmate made about the bus accident.
The therapist warned that certain images might trigger patients who have experienced loss.
The smell of that perfume still triggers Andrei whenever he walks past the shop downtown.
文法句型
trigger + person
be triggered by [stimulus]
用法筆記
This verb sense is common in trauma-informed care and mental health discussions. The passive form (be triggered by) is often preferred in clinical writing because it places the focus on the stimulus rather than the person's reaction. In everyday conversation, some people use trigger loosely to mean 'annoy,' but the precise meaning requires a connection to past trauma. Distinguish from sense 1 (CAUSE TO START) where the object is an event or device, not a person's emotional state.