booby-trap

Definition

1. Verb:
   • To set a hidden or disguised trap: "booby-trap" means to conceal a device (such as an explosive or a snare) that is triggered by an unsuspecting victim, often for military, criminal, or malicious purposes.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • The soldiers were ordered to booby-trap the abandoned house to deter enemy patrols. (To hide explosive devices in the building.)
  • He learned how to booby-trap a door handle from a survival manual. (To rig a trap that activates when the handle is turned.)

Advanced Usage

• "to booby-trap a vehicle": to place an explosive device in or under a car, triggered by ignition, movement, or entry.

  • The insurgents attempted to booby-trap a jeep near the checkpoint. (They hid a bomb in the vehicle.)

• "to booby-trap a package": to rig a parcel or container to explode when opened.

  • Investigators discovered someone had booby-trapped a gift box sent to the embassy. (The box contained a hidden explosive.)

Variants and Related Words

• Booby trap (noun): a hidden or disguised device designed to harm or surprise someone.

  • The police found a booby trap under the floorboards. (A concealed explosive or snare.)

• Booby-trapped (adjective): equipped with a hidden trap.

  • The door was booby-trapped with a tripwire. (Rigged to activate a trap.)

Synonyms

• Rig: to set up or arrange something in a deceptive or dangerous way.
• Trap: to set a snare or device to catch or harm.

Phrasal Verbs

• (No common phrasal verbs; "booby-trap" itself is a compound verb.)

Related Idioms

• "to spring a trap": to activate or cause a hidden trap to work.

  • The intruder accidentally sprang the booby trap. (He triggered the hidden device.)

• "to walk into a trap": to be caught by a hidden or deceptive scheme.

  • The patrol walked into a booby trap set by the enemy. (They triggered the hidden explosive.)