trap
- noun
- /træp/
- The documentary revealed how many people fall into the trap of believing misinformation.
- fall into the trap
- set a trap
- a baited trap
And so there are plenty of traps that people can fall in.
- And so there are plenty of traps that people can fall in.
- And what I call it is the trap of assumption, OK.
- How do people avoid the perfection trap when doing that?
- Instead, it's impetuous pride who gallops into the trap made for lowliness.
- People are out there sitting traps, snares.
- And so this is one of the traps that morality can fall into.
- That's, but I think that's a trap every time.
- You put your handcuffs through the trap and they open the handcuffs.
- And here's where I have to reveal my trap card, so to speak.
Examples
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The resistance has fallen into Souther's trap!
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Welcome to the world famous monkey trap where I keep all my toys.
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If one of these rooms is a trap... then it could take everyone out.
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Now, caught in his own trap, he did what he least wanted to do.
Academic text (1990) -
So not everyone falls into that trap, but a lot of people are.
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How do people avoid the perfection trap when doing that?
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And we're just falling into the trap of their currency, basically.
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It was like you set a trap and just led 'em right to it.
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Here, Todorov seems to be falling into the trap of confusing theory with practice.
Academic text (1991) -
The heavy marble trap door over them jammed and floodwater began to rise.
Academic text (2015)
Synonyms
An attack from a hidden place that surprises people
A hidden bomb that explodes when someone touches or steps on it
A situation that tricks people by looking harmless or attractive
A hidden hole in the ground that traps animals or people
A metal device with strong springs and sharp jaws that catches animals
A situation you cannot escape from
An act of hiding and then suddenly attacking people
Antonyms
Compounds
- Informal
A place that attracts tourists and charges them too much for poor quality things or services
- Specialized
A situation where earning more causes loss of government help and keeps people poor
- Jargon
A route of spots where people set things to catch animals and check them regularly
- Offensive
A very revealing outfit that draws attention to the wearer's crotch area
- Jargon
In American football, an illegal action where a player hits another player from the side or behind
- Specialized
A tool with a long flexible wire that clears blockages in drains
- Jargon
A play that lets a defender pass the start line then blocks them to open a gap for the runner
- Specialized
A hard dark rock formed by volcanoes that people use to build roads and buildings
A garden or terrace that gets as much sun as possible while being sheltered from cold wind
- Literature
A situation where you pay regular fees without clear permission and cannot easily stop them
How Dangerous
Surface Forms
Etymology
Trap first meant a 'snare' — a simple tool to catch animals — so the basic idea of something that catches or tricks someone gives the word its main meaning today.