ˌhalf ˈcocked (
also ˌhalf ˈcock British English)
[
Date: 1800-1900;
Origin: cock 'to get a gun ready to fire']
go off half cocked (
also go off at half cock British English) to do something without enough thought or preparation, so that it is not successful
[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲