trap

A device used to catch an animal, sometimes killing it.

• There is a mouse in the trap.
• He set traps near the fence.
• The fox escaped from a trap.

How to use it: a trap for something (We set a trap for the mouse.)

Similar words: snare

Common phrases: mouse trap, set a trap, animal trap

A trick or situation that catches someone or makes them do something they should avoid.

• The police set a trap for the thief.
• She avoided the trap of blaming everyone else.
• His friendly invitation turned out to be a trap.

How to use it: fall into the trap of doing something (Do not fall into the trap of spending more than you earn.)

Similar words: snare, pitfall

Common phrases: fall into a trap, set a trap, a clever trap

A part of a pipe that holds liquid to stop gas passing through while allowing liquid to flow.

• The plumber cleaned the sink trap.
• Water in the trap stops unpleasant smells.
• A leaking trap needs replacing.

Common phrases: sink trap, drain trap, water trap

A door or cover over an opening, often in a floor or ceiling.

• Open the trap carefully.
• A ladder led down through the trap.
• The actor disappeared through a trap in the stage.

Similar words: trapdoor, hatch

Common phrases: open the trap, close the trap, stage trap

A device that holds something and then suddenly lets it go.

• Load the trap with a clay target.
• The trap released the target into the air.
• They tested several traps before the shooting competition.

Similar words: launcher

Common phrases: clay pigeon trap, automatic trap, load the trap

A place in a pipe or pump where air collects because it cannot escape.

• An air trap stopped the water flow.
• The engineer found a trap inside the pipe.
• Opening the valve released air from the trap.

Similar words: air pocket

Common phrases: air trap, trap in something, remove an air trap

To put someone or something in a position where they cannot get free, physically or through a trick.

• I trapped my hand in the window.
• The fire trapped several people upstairs.
• Her questions trapped him into revealing his plan.

How to use it: trap someone/something in something (I trapped my finger in the door.); trap someone into doing something (They trapped him into admitting that he knew the password.)

Similar words: entrap, ensnare, catch

Opposites: free, release

Common phrases: trap your finger, trap someone inside, trap someone into something

To catch a person or animal using a device or a situation they cannot escape from.

• They trapped a mouse in the kitchen.
• The hunters trapped several foxes.
• Rescuers freed a deer trapped in a fence.

How to use it: trap someone/something in something (They trapped the fox in a cage.)

Similar words: catch, capture

Opposites: release, free

Common phrases: trap a mouse, trap wild animals, trap someone inside