nuclear button

plural nuclear buttons

1. The means (not likely literally a button) of quickly and easily launching nuclear warheads.

   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.

   2020, William J. Perry, Tom Z. Collina, The Button

   2 more 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.

   2014 September 1, Matthew d’Ancona, “Boris Johnson’s Blond Ambition”, in New York Times

   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.

   2019, Dietrich Schroeer, Alessandro Pascolini, The Weapons Legacy of the Cold War, page 77

2. broadlyThe means of triggering a huge controversy, fight, or act of destruction.

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

   2017 February 3, Elle Hunt, “When is it appropriate to reply all? Mostly never”, in The Guardian

   2 more examples

   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.

   2012, David Murphy, Martina Devlin, Banksters, page 1972

   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!

   2021, Alison Sarah James, Heroine, First Female Elite Special Forces Uk