trap

"Trap" is a very common English word with several important meanings. It works as both a noun and a verb, and you will encounter it in everyday conversation, stories, and even music. Here are the most useful senses to know.

1nouna device to catch animals

A trap is a physical device designed to catch or hold an animal — think of a metal contraption that snaps shut when an animal steps on it, or a cage that locks when an animal enters. The animal cannot escape once it is caught.

everyday language, hunting, farming · Modern, widely used

The farmer set a trap near the chicken coop to catch the fox.

The mouse walked right into the trap and could not get out.

Animal welfare groups want to ban certain types of traps because they cause pain.

2nounfigurativea trick or dangerous situation

A trap can also be a situation — not a physical device — where someone is tricked or stuck with no easy way out. Imagine someone luring you into a place or agreement that turns out to be bad for you. That is a trap.

everyday language, business, relationships · Modern, widely used · figurative

The question was a trap — any answer I gave would make me look bad.

He realized too late that the contract was a trap designed to take his money.

Be careful not to fall into the trap of spending more than you earn.

3verbto catch or keep someone/something in a place

When you trap something, you catch it or keep it somewhere it cannot leave. This can be physical — like being stuck in a burning building — or emotional, like feeling stuck in a job you hate.

everyday language · Modern, widely used

The firefighters rescued the family that was trapped on the top floor.

A spider traps insects in its web and then eats them.

She felt trapped in a city she had never wanted to live in.

4verbfigurativeto trick someone into a bad situation

You can also trap a person by using a clever trick to get them to do or say something they did not intend to. Think of a detective asking questions in a way that makes a suspect reveal the truth without realising it.

everyday language, law, journalism · Modern, widely used · figurative

The lawyer trapped the witness into admitting he had lied.

She felt that her colleague had trapped her into taking responsibility for the mistake.

The journalist trapped the politician with a very direct question.

5nouna type of music genre

In modern music, 'trap' refers to a style of hip-hop that started in the southern United States. It has a very distinctive sound — heavy bass, fast hi-hat drum patterns, and dark beats. You will hear this word a lot in music discussions.

music, pop culture · Modern, widely used since the 2000s

That new song has a classic trap beat with lots of bass.

Trap music became hugely popular around the world in the 2010s.

Many young producers are making trap-influenced tracks today.