trap

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun

n. a clever plan used to trick someone into doing something or being caught.

n. a stratagem or deceptive arrangement intended to catch an individual unawares or elicit a confession.

“The police set a trap for the thief by leaving a marked bag in the car.”

“The lawyer realized the witness was walking into a trap when the prosecutor began asking seemingly irrelevant questions about his whereabouts.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun

n. an unpleasant situation that is very hard to get out of.

n. a restrictive or dangerous situation from which escape is difficult or impossible.

“Many young families fall into the debt trap by using too many credit cards.”

“The middle-income trap prevents many developing nations from reaching high-income status due to rising costs and declining competitiveness.”

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Informal · Slang

n. a person's mouth, usually used when telling someone to be quiet.

n. a slang term for the human mouth, typically used in imperative constructions regarding silence.

“He told his brother to shut his trap before he got them both in trouble.”

“The coach yelled at the players to shut their traps and listen to the new strategy for the second half.”

C2 · Proficiency Countable noun American English · Slang

n. a place where illegal drugs are sold.

n. a location, such as a residential building or street corner, where illicit drugs are manufactured or distributed.

“The police raided a trap on the corner after neighbors complained about the noise.”

“The documentary explores the social factors that lead young people into the lifestyle associated with the local trap houses.”

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Technology Technical

n. a curved pipe under a sink that holds water to stop bad smells from coming up.

n. a U-shaped or S-shaped section of a waste pipe that utilizes a liquid seal to prevent the entry of sewer gases into a building.

“If the sink smells bad, there might be a problem with the trap.”

“The plumber cleared the debris from the P-trap to restore proper drainage and eliminate the persistent odor in the basement.”

B1 · Intermediate

v. to catch an animal or person and keep them from escaping.

v. to catch or retain an object, animal, or person within a confined space or device.

“The hikers were trapped in the cave by the rising tide.”

“The insulation is designed to trap heat inside the house during the winter months to reduce energy costs.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate

v. to trick someone into doing something they did not want to do.

v. to induce someone into a compromising position or an unwanted action through deception.

“She felt trapped into saying yes because all her friends were watching.”

“The journalist was accused of trying to trap the politician into making a controversial statement on camera.”