Definition

Noun: - A Halloween custom or activity in which children, often in costume, go from house to house saying the phrase "trick or treat" to ask for candy or other treats, with the playful implication that a trick (a minor prank) will be played on the occupants if no treat is given.

Usage

• As a noun phrase: The term is used to name the activity itself or the request made by the children.
  • The neighborhood was full of children out for trick or treat.
  • When the door opened, the kids all shouted, "Trick or treat!"

Examples

Advanced Usage

• The phrase can function as a compound modifier.
  • We need to buy more trick-or-treat candy before tonight. (Here, "trick-or-treat" is hyphenated when used as an adjective.)
• It describes the overall tradition.
  • Trick or treat is a central part of Halloween celebrations in many countries.

Variants and Related Words

• Trick-or-treater (noun): A child (or person) who goes out to ask for treats on Halloween.
  • We had over fifty trick-or-treaters come to our house.

Synonyms

• Guising: A similar tradition, particularly in Scotland and parts of Britain, where children perform a song, poem, or "trick" for a treat.
• (Note: There is no perfect single-word synonym for this specific cultural practice.)

Related Idioms and Phrases

• The phrase "trick or treat" itself is a fixed, idiomatic expression used as a call or request during the activity. It is not typically broken down into separate phrasal verbs.

Noun

1. a request by children on Halloween; they pass from door to door asking for goodies and threatening to play tricks on those who refuse