Press/push the panic button
verb
To react quickly and without thinking due to fear or anxiety, often making the situation worse.
As the stock market started to drop, many investors pressed the panic button and sold their stocks.
Often appears as...
- press the panic button prematurely
- press the panic button unnecessarily
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb
To call for emergency help, usually by literally pushing a special button.
During the robbery, she was able to quietly push the panic button under her desk, alerting the police.
Often appears as...
- push the panic button for help
- panic button pushed on time
verb
To react quickly and without thinking due to fear or anxiety, often making the situation worse.
As the stock market started to drop, many investors pressed the panic button and sold their stocks.
Often appears as...
- press the panic button prematurely
- press the panic button unnecessarily
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb
To call for emergency help, usually by literally pushing a special button.
During the robbery, she was able to quietly push the panic button under her desk, alerting the police.
Often appears as...
- push the panic button for help
- panic button pushed on time
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Idiomatic Expression
Understand this is a non-literal phrase commonly used to express overreaction due to fear, not involving a real button.
He lost his keys and immediately pressed the panic button, assuming they were stolen.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Always Negative
Though it suggests an overreaction, sometimes it means responding to stress or danger with strong measures.
When the virus hit the town, the mayor pressed the panic button and instated a lockdown.
Pro Tip 3/3Emotional Intensity
The phrase can indicate a high emotional response which may not be logical or thought-out.
Seeing the wasp, she pressed the panic button and ran screaming.
Pro Tip 1/3Idiomatic Expression
Understand this is a non-literal phrase commonly used to express overreaction due to fear, not involving a real button.
He lost his keys and immediately pressed the panic button, assuming they were stolen.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Always Negative
Though it suggests an overreaction, sometimes it means responding to stress or danger with strong measures.
When the virus hit the town, the mayor pressed the panic button and instated a lockdown.
Pro Tip 3/3Emotional Intensity
The phrase can indicate a high emotional response which may not be logical or thought-out.
Seeing the wasp, she pressed the panic button and ran screaming.
Pro Tip 1/3Idiomatic Expression
Understand this is a non-literal phrase commonly used to express overreaction due to fear, not involving a real button.
He lost his keys and immediately pressed the panic button, assuming they were stolen.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Always Negative
Though it suggests an overreaction, sometimes it means responding to stress or danger with strong measures.
When the virus hit the town, the mayor pressed the panic button and instated a lockdown.
Pro Tip 3/3Emotional Intensity
The phrase can indicate a high emotional response which may not be logical or thought-out.
Seeing the wasp, she pressed the panic button and ran screaming.
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