push the panic button

to react to a situation with fear and confusion Our coach isn't about to push the panic button just because we've lost two games in a row.

Usage notes: sometimes used with other verbs that have a similar meaning, such as press and hit: It's too early to hit the panic button, but our stocks lost half their value today.

push the panic button

Also, press the panic button. Overreact to a situation, as in Don't worry; Jane is always pushing the panic button, but I'm sure the baby's fine. This term originated during World War II, when certain bombers had a bell-warning system so that the crew could bail out if the plane was severely hit. Occasionally a pilot would push the button in error, when there was only minor damage, causing the crew to bail out unnecessarily. By 1950 the expression had been transferred to other kinds of overreaction.

push the panic button

verb

See hit the panic button

Common Names:

Name	Pronounced	Usage
Kanya	-	Thai
Till	TIL	German
Rachel	['reitʃəl]
Sukarno	soo-KAHR-no	Indonesian, Javanese
Sharma	-	Indian, Hindi
Gyeong-Ja	gyung-jah	Korean