Definition

1. Noun:
   • A trap; a snare: A device or scheme designed to catch, deceive, or harm someone or something, often by trickery. It refers to a hidden danger or a deceptive situation.
   • A pitfall: A hidden or unexpected difficulty or danger.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Thợ săn đặt cạm bẫy trong rừng. (The hunter set traps in the forest.)
  • Đó là một cạm bẫy tình cảm. (That is an emotional trap.)
  • Cô ấy cảnh báo tôi về những cạm bẫy trong hợp đồng. (She warned me about the pitfalls in the contract.)

Advanced Usage

• The word "cạm bẫy" is often used in abstract, metaphorical contexts to describe psychological, legal, or social deceptions, not just physical traps.
  • Internet đầy rẫy những cạm bẫy lừa đảo. (The internet is full of fraudulent traps.)

Variants and Related Words

• Bẫy (noun): A trap. This is a more common and general synonym.
  • bẫy chuột (mousetrap)
• Cạm (noun): An older, less common term for a trap, often seen in the compound "cạm bẫy".

Synonyms

• Trap: A device for catching animals or a trick to deceive someone.
• Snare: A trap for catching animals, often using a noose; also a deceptive situation.
• Pitfall: An unsuspected difficulty or danger.
• Ambush: A surprise attack from a concealed position.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Chăng cạm bẫy: To lay/set a trap.
  • Kẻ xấu chăng cạm bẫy khắp nơi. (The villain laid traps everywhere.)
• Rơi vào cạm bẫy / Sa vào cạm bẫy: To fall into a trap.
  • Công ty non trẻ đã rơi vào cạm bẫy pháp lý. (The young company fell into a legal trap.)
• Đề phòng cạm bẫy: To be wary of traps; to watch out for pitfalls.
  • Bạn phải luôn đề phòng cạm bẫy khi đầu tư. (You must always be wary of pitfalls when investing.)

noun

1. Trap (nói khái quát)
   • bắt thú rừng bằng cạm bẫy
     to trap wild game
   • mật thám chăng cạm bẫy khắp nơi
     the secret police laid traps everywhere