booby trap

¹

noun

1. a hidden bomb or mine so placed that it will be set off by an unsuspecting person through such means as moving an apparently harmless object.
2. any hidden trap set for an unsuspecting person.

booby-trap

²

[ boo-bee-trap ]

verb (used with object)

, boo·by-trapped, boo·by-trap·ping.

1. to set with or as if with a booby trap; attach a booby trap to or in.

booby trap

noun

1. a hidden explosive device primed in such a way as to be set off by an unsuspecting victim
2. a trap for an unsuspecting person, esp one intended as a practical joke, such as an object balanced above a door to fall on the person who opens it

verb

1. tr to set a booby trap in or on (a building or object) or for (a person)

Word History and Origins

Origin of booby trap¹

First recorded in 1840–50

Origin of booby trap²

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

The corpse however remained in situ due to suspected booby traps and instead, part of a finger was removed and sent to Israel for testing.

From BBC

Compared to the blocking booby traps that were once set at all levels of the field, one condensed layer of opponents on a kickoff return seems easy enough to navigate for Derius Davis.

From Los Angeles Times

According to the IDF, troops were searching buildings for Hamas using a dog - these animals are regularly used to hunt for fighters, booby traps, explosives and weapons.

From BBC

As Human Rights Watch and other groups noted, international humanitarian law forbids the use of booby traps, especially with objects that are commonly used by civilians.

From Los Angeles Times

When I asked a senior White House official if they could speak to whether or not similar booby traps were contained in American communication devices I was rebuked; “I can’t speak to that.”

From Salon

Related Words

• land mine