Trigger

(v.)

trigger sth (off): be the cause of a sudden (often) violent reaction; set an action or a process in motion

成为突然发生的（常为激烈的）反应的原因；发动；引发

e.g. The riots were triggered (off) by a series of police arrests.

警方一连串的逮捕行为激发了暴乱。

e.g. The smoke triggered off the alarm.

这些烟把警报器触响了。

引申：trigger-happy

(a.)

ready to react violently, esp by shooting, even when only slightly provoked

爱做出激烈反应的；（尤指）动辄开枪的

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