press someone’s buttons —(also: push someone’s buttons) draw a strong emotional reaction, especially anger, from a person:
- It is very difficult to press his buttons because he is careful not to let his emotions control him.
press the panic button—(also: push the panic button) overreact to a stressful situation:
- I fail to understand as to why the investors have pressed the panic button at a time when a new Government has not taken over.