trap */*/

I UK [træp] / US noun [countable]
Word forms "trap":
singular trap plural traps

1) a piece of equipment used for catching animals

set/lay a trap (= make it ready to be used):

We set traps in the attic for the mice.

2) a bad or unpleasant situation that is difficult to change or escape from

caught in a trap (of something):

He was caught in a trap of poverty.

3) a trick that is designed to catch someone or to make them do or say something that they did not want to do or say

The platoon was lured into a trap by guerrilla soldiers.

We didn't know that we were walking straight into a trap.

4) a mistake or problem that you should try to avoid

fall into the trap of (doing) something:

I fell into the trap of putting work before family.

5) a type of carriage pulled by a horse

•

- keep your trap shut

See:

death trap, shut I, tourist trap

II UK [træp] / US verb [transitive]
Word forms "trap":
present tense I/you/we/they trap he/she/it traps present participle trapping past tense trapped past participle trapped

1)

a) [usually passive] to prevent someone from leaving a place, especially a dangerous place

Both men were trapped inside the burning car.

The bomb exploded, trapping victims in the building.

b) to prevent a part of someone's body from moving by pressing it hard

His legs were trapped under fallen rocks.

2) [always passive] to be unable to change a bad situation or way of thinking

I felt trapped by my marriage.

They are trapped in a cycle of violence.

3)

a) to catch someone such as a criminal, especially by forcing them into a place that they cannot escape from

Police officers trapped both suspects before they left the bank.

b) to catch an animal using a trap

4) to trick someone in order to make them do or say something that they did not want to do or say

trap someone into (doing) something:

I was trapped into admitting I had lied.

5) to keep something such as air, gas, or energy in a particular place

Carbon dioxide causes the Earth's atmosphere to trap heat.