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hit the panic button

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hit the panic button

 and press the panic button; push the panic button

Fig. to panic suddenly. She hit the panic button and just went to pieces. Don't press the panic button. Relax and keep your eyes open.

See also: button, hit, panic

hit/press/push the panic button

to do something quickly without thinking about it in order to deal with a difficult or worrying situation (often negative) We may have lost the last three games but we're not pushing the panic button yet.

See also: button, hit, panic

hit the panic button

and press the panic button and push the panic button

tv. to panic. She hit the panic button and just went to pieces. Don’t press the panic button until you think it through.

See also: button, hit, panic