hit the panic button (redirected from panic button)

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

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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