booby trap
A 'booby trap' can be a hidden or disguised device meant to cause harm, often used in military contexts but also found in practical jokes and unforeseen dangers.
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Definition
B2Military
(technical)A concealed device designed to harm or kill someone who triggers it.
Example
- The soldiers were trained to identify and avoid booby traps in enemy territory.
B2General
(informal)A hidden setup intended to surprise or trick someone.
Example
- He set up a booby trap that would spill water on anyone who opened the door.
B2General
(figurative)An unforeseen danger or pitfall.
Example
- The new policy turned out to be a booby trap for the company, causing more problems than it solved.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "booby trap":
monkey trapbaby traphoney trapelephant traptrip cordreverse trapfall into a trapbottle traptrap out