hit the panic button

hit the panic button

To overreact to a negative situation with an inordinate amount of fear, alarm, or confusion. If you're going to be a successful boss, you can't hit the panic button every time your company has a minor setback. New parents tend to hit the panic button over every little sniffle their first baby gets. You learn to chill out when you have more kids.

See also: button, hit, panic

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 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