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Press the Panic Button

What Does "Press the Panic Button" Mean?

homeidiomsPress the Panic Button
"Press the panic button" is an English idiom. It means "to react in a state of extreme fear or anxiety, often in response to a crisis or emergency."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "press the panic button" used in a sentence:
  • When the fire alarm went off, some people panicked and pressed the panic button, causing chaos in the building.
  • In times of crisis, it's essential to stay calm and not press the panic button; clear thinking is crucial for problem-solving.
  • She didn't want to press the panic button prematurely and chose to gather more information before making a decision.
meaning for press the panic button

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Press the Panic Button" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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