Definition

1. Noun:

   • A lure or bait: An object, animal, or person used to attract and lead other animals or people into a trap or dangerous situation.
   • A deceptive trick: A person or thing used to mislead, distract, or entice someone into a course of action, often as part of a scheme.

2. Verb:

   • To lure or entice: To attract or lead someone or something into a trap or dangerous situation by using a decoy.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The hunters used a wooden duck as a decoy to attract real ones.
  • The undercover agent acted as a decoy to distract the security guards.
• Verb:
  • They managed to decoy the enemy troops away from the main camp.
  • The advertisement was designed to decoy customers into the store.

Advanced Usage

• "To act as a decoy": To serve the purpose of distracting or luring.
  • The star player acted as a decoy, allowing his teammate to score.
• "Decoy effect": A marketing tactic where a less attractive option makes another option seem more desirable.
  • The expensive "decoy" menu item made the mid-priced option look like a better deal.

Variants and Related Words

• Decoy duck (n): Specifically, a duck used to lure other ducks; can also refer to a person used as a lure.
  • The pond was full of decoy ducks before the hunting season.
• Bait (n): Something used to entice or attract, often food for catching animals.
• Lure (n/verb): Something that tempts or attracts; to tempt or attract.

Synonyms

• Noun: Lure, bait, trap, enticement, plant, shill.
• Verb: Lure, entice, bait, trap, ensnare, seduce.

Related Phrasal Verbs/Constructions

• To decoy away: To lure someone or something to move away from a location.
  • The plan was to decoy the guards away from the gate.
• To be decoyed into: To be tricked or lured into doing something.
  • She was decoyed into the scam by promises of easy money.

Related Idioms

• "Sitting duck": An easy target (related conceptually to a decoy duck).
  • Without any cover, the soldiers were sitting ducks for the sniper.
• "A red herring": Something that misleads or distracts from the relevant issue (similar to a decoy's function in misleading).
  • The clue in the mystery novel turned out to be a red herring.

Noun

1. something used to lure fish or other animals into danger so they can be trapped or killed
2. a beguiler who leads someone into danger (usually as part of a plot)

Verb

1. lure or entrap with or as if with a decoy