trap
2 ENTRIES FOUND:
plural
traps
plural
traps
Britannica Dictionary definition of TRAP
[count]
1
:
a device that is used for catching animals
—
see also mousetrap
-
They set traps to catch the mice.
-
a bear/lobster trap
-
She has a mind like a steel trap. [=she remembers everything]
2
a
:
something that is used or done to stop or capture someone (such as a criminal)
-
The police are laying/setting a trap to catch him.
-
The soldiers had walked/stumbled into a trap.
b
:
a situation in which someone is tricked into doing or saying something
—
see also speed trap
-
Credit card companies were accused of laying/setting traps for consumers. [=tricking consumers]
c
:
a bad position or situation from which it is difficult to escape
—
see also poverty trap
-
a mental/theoretical trap
-
Many new businesses fail because they try to expand too quickly, but we have so far managed to avoid that trap.
-
They tended to view marriage as a trap.
-
Don't fall into the trap of believing that technology can solve all our problems.
3
4
slang
:
mouth
-
Can he keep his trap shut about it? [=can he be trusted not to tell anyone about it?]
-
Shut your trap! I've heard enough!
5
US, technical
:
a bend in a pipe that contains water and that prevents gas from passing through the pipe
— called also
(British)
U-bend
—
see picture at plumbing
6
:
a light carriage that is usually pulled by one horse
spring a trap
—
see also booby trap, death trap, tourist trap
2
trap
/ˈtræp/
verb
traps;
trapped;
trapping
2
trap
/ˈtræp/
verb
traps;
trapped;
trapping
Britannica Dictionary definition of TRAP
[+ object]
1
:
to catch (an animal) in a trap
-
trapping mice
-
They trapped the bear and relocated it to another forest.
2
:
to force (a person or animal) into a place or position from which escape is very difficult or impossible
-
The police trapped [=cornered] the robber in an alley.
3
a
:
to cause (a person or animal) to be unable to move or escape from a dangerous place
— usually used as (be) trapped
-
A tree fell in front of the door and trapped the people inside.
-
They were trapped and couldn't get out.
-
She was trapped in the elevator for more than an hour.
b
:
to force (someone) to stay in a bad or unpleasant situation
— + in
-
He felt trapped in his marriage.
-
people trapped in low-paying jobs
4
:
to fool or trick (someone) into doing or saying something
-
The lawyer tried to trap the witness into admitting that she had lied.
5
:
to stop (something) from escaping or being lost
-
Greenhouse gases trap heat inside the Earth's atmosphere.
6
British
:
to cause (something, such as a part of your body) to become stuck and unable to move
-
She trapped [=(US) caught, pinched] her finger in the door.
7
baseball
:
to catch (the ball) immediately after it bounces off the ground
-
The outfielder trapped the ball.
