At half cock


Also found in: Idioms.
See under Half.
the position of the cock of a gun when retained by the first notch.
- Shak.

See also: Cock, Half

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, published 1913 by G. & C. Merriam Co.
References in periodicals archive ?
It was notable for being one of the few military revolvers with a safety lever, which could be placed in the Safe position when the hammer was at half cock.
I could have wished for a more organised presentation (taped music which went off at half cock - odd arrangements on the reading platform, and so on) but David Burke and Jessica Turner coped well enough.