booby trap

¹ American  

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.

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booby-trap ² American  

[boo-bee-trap] / ˈbu biˌtræp /

verb (used with object)

booby-trapped, booby-trapping

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

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booby trap British  

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

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verb

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

Etymology

Origin of booby trap¹

First recorded in 1840–50

Origin of booby-trap¹

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

Russian saboteurs, disguised as Ukrainian soldiers or civilians, have also strayed beyond the front line to set up booby traps, further blurring the line between civilian areas and the battlefield.

From Barron's

According to police, often the sites targeted are remote, treacherous even, and reminiscent of an Indiana Jones expedition - minus the booby traps.

From BBC

Soldiers on patrol were met with peasant militias and booby traps.

From Salon

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

Related Words

• land mine