verb (gerund/present participle) / noun / adjective
disparar / acionamento / provocador
1. causing or initiating an action, process, or event
The alarm system is triggering a response from the security team.
O sistema de alarme está disparando uma resposta da equipe de segurança.
2. pulling the trigger of a gun or firearm
He was triggering the rifle repeatedly during target practice.
Ele estava disparando o rifle repetidamente durante o treinamento de tiro.
3. causing emotional distress or trauma response (contemporary usage)
The movie scene was triggering for viewers with PTSD.
A cena do filme estava causando gatilhos em espectadores com TEPT.
4. activating or setting off a mechanism or device
Triggering the motion sensor turned on the lights automatically.
Acionando o sensor de movimento, as luzes se acenderam automaticamente.
In contemporary English and Portuguese usage, 'triggering' has evolved to include emotional/psychological meaning, referring to content or situations that cause distress or trauma responses. This usage became prevalent in early 2010s internet culture and mental health discourse. In Portuguese-speaking countries, the English term 'gatilho' (trigger) and 'disparar' are both used, with 'gatilho' becoming increasingly popular in younger demographics referencing emotional triggers.
NYC Slang
Setting someone off / getting someone hyped up / that's triggering me (causing emotional reaction)
Related Idioms & Phrases
trigger-happy (rash, quick to act without thinking)
pulling the trigger (making a final decision)
trigger point (the factor that causes something to happen)
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