Meaning of nuclear button | Babel Free

Definitions

1. The means (not likely literally a button) of quickly and easily launching nuclear warheads.
2. The means of triggering a huge controversy, fight, or act of destruction.
   broadly

Examples

“Imagine, now, this irrepressible figure [Boris Johnson] transposed to the Group of 8 summit chamber, or with his finger on the nuclear button, or in the Downing Street equivalent of the White House Situation Room, deciding whether or not to send British troops to war.”

“Reportedly, as Yeltsin accepted the need for bypass surgery he at first considered delegating responsibility for security to Premier Chernomyrdin, but retaining the nuclear button.”

“So, we decided to write this book, a history of the nuclear button, based on the insights of the people most experienced with this dangerous remnant from the Cold War.”

“The four left the meeting and in their absence the nuclear button was pushed. A daring plan was hatched to fully underwrite Ireland's entire banking network.”

“We’ve now had 20 years of cautionary tales about replyallpocalypses. For the sake of workplace harmony: keep your pointer off the nuclear button.”

“All RAF we ask, surprisingly as we are easygoing generally, admit they would press the nuclear button if cuckolded by adversary whether they hate or love him!”

CEFR level