trigger went off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "trigger went off" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation where a device, such as an alarm or a gun, is activated or discharged. Example: "As soon as the intruder entered the house, the security system's trigger went off, alerting the homeowners."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

For this patient, the treatment was started 3 days after the development of clinical symptoms and infiltrates on X-ray, so the trigger went off too late.

Annals of Intensive Care

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Then, decide what you will do when the trigger goes off, phrasing your behavior plan in simple, "If-Then" terms.

Huffington Post

What haunts her instead is that no internal triggers went off.

Huffington Post

He said the gun was already cocked when Mr. Salley pointed it at Ms. Stahl and touched the trigger: "The gun went off, killed Jennifer.

The New York Times

From Mr. Widener's account, published first in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution today, it was not clear who was holding the gun or whose finger was on the trigger when it went off, though Mr. Widener acknowledged that he had made a mistake in storing the gun with a round in its chamber.

The New York Times

He said of the last shot: "As I was starting to get on the trigger, the gun just went off.

The New York Times - Sports

"We're dealing with the reckless actions of a soldier pointing his weapon at a fellow soldier and pulling the trigger and the gun went off," Mr. Singer told Judge McMahon in court in February.

The New York Times

When the trigger was pulled, the gun went off".

The New York Times

But about two hours later, the shop's alarm went off, apparently triggered by the fire, and Mr. Negron said he smelled smoke.

The New York Times

While the three were hunting, the buttons on the windbreaker became wedged in the trigger of Montoro's gun which went off, barely missing Ida.

The New Yorker

"There's things that get me upset and there's, like, this trigger that goes off.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "trigger went off" in writing, ensure the context clearly indicates what the trigger is and what action resulted. For example, specify "the alarm's trigger went off" rather than simply "the trigger went off" if the alarm is not already established in the context.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by ensuring the subject associated with "trigger went off" is clearly defined. Saying "the project's trigger went off" might be confusing; instead, clarify with "the project's deadline trigger went off" to specify the exact event.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trigger went off" functions as an idiomatic expression, primarily used to denote the activation or initiation of something, often a device or process, due to a specific event or condition. According to Ludwig AI, this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "trigger went off" is a grammatically sound and commonly used idiomatic expression. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It is used across diverse contexts, including news, science, and general writing, to describe the activation or initiation of something as a result of a specific trigger event. To ensure clarity, it is important to clearly define the trigger and the resultant action. While alternatives such as "the alarm sounded" or "the device activated" exist, "trigger went off" maintains its unique idiomatic flavor and widespread applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the gun discharged

Focuses specifically on a firearm firing.

the alarm sounded

Describes an alarm being activated.

the device activated

More general, referring to any device starting operation.

it was activated

A passive form indicating something was started.

the bomb detonated

Specifically refers to a bomb exploding.

the trap was sprung

Refers to a trap being activated.

the mechanism engaged

Highlights the engagement of a mechanism.

the system initiated

Focuses on a system starting.

the process began

A broader term indicating the commencement of a process.

an incident occurred

The most general and abstract alternative, indicating an event took place.

FAQs

How can I use "trigger went off" in a sentence?

You can use "trigger went off" to describe the activation of a device or the start of a process due to a specific event. For example, "The alarm's "trigger went off" when the door was opened."

What are some alternatives to saying "trigger went off"?

Alternatives include phrases like "the alarm sounded", "the device activated", or, in the context of a firearm, "the gun discharged".

Is it correct to say "the trigger was went off"?

No, the correct phrasing is "the "trigger went off"". The auxiliary verb "was" is not needed in this context.

What's the difference between "trigger went off" and "trigger was activated"?

"Trigger went off" implies a more spontaneous or immediate action, while "trigger was activated" suggests a more deliberate or controlled process. However, in many contexts, they can be used interchangeably.