Under a franchise arrangement, a person or company purchases the ability to run a local business under a larger company's brand. Depending on the franchise arrangement, the local party may have to meet certain standards established by the larger company and purchase products from the larger company as well.
Half-cock is when the position of the hammer is partially but not completely cocked.
Collins Concise English Dictionary Â© HarperCollins Publishers:: lockdown /ËlÉkËdÉÊn/. n. US a security measure in which those inside a building such as a prison, school, or hospital are required to remain confined in it for a time: many schools remained under lockdown yesterday.