ENGLISH
REFERENCE

honey trap

idiom
Meaning

The use of a romantic or a sexual relationship to entice a person into revealing secret information.


Origin

first recorded 20th c.

Popularized by John le Carré in the novel Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (1974).

Examples
SIMPLE

The spy fell for a honey trap.

CONTEXTUAL

The agent realized too late that his new acquaintance was actually a honey trap designed to steal classified documents.

COMPLEX

The intelligence agency orchestrated a sophisticated honey trap, successfully compromising the diplomat by exploiting his personal vulnerabilities to secure the state secrets.

Anchors to
Related idioms7entries
  1. 01

    fall into a trap

    To make a mistake, a bad decision or act senselessly and get into an extremely difficult situation.

  2. 02

    heffalump trap

    A situation where an attempt to trap or outwit someone ends up backfiring on the original schemer.

  3. 03

    honey do list

    A collection of requests, usually a list of household tasks assigned by a partner.

  4. 04

    honey hole

    A location or situation which yields something of significant value.

  5. 05

    pour honey in one's ear

    To tell one something pleasing or flattering.

  6. 06

    pour honey on

    To praise or encourage wholeheartedly.

  7. 07

    shut one's trap

    To stop talking; to be quiet.

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