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tripwire

[ trip-wahyuhr ]

noun

  1. a wire used to set off concealed explosives, as one stretched across a footpath to be struck and activated by the foot of an enemy soldier.
  2. a wire that activates a trap, camera, or other device when stepped on, tripped trip on, or otherwise disturbed.


tripwire

/ ˈtrɪpˌwaɪə /

noun

  1. a wire that activates a trap, mine, etc, when tripped over
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Word History and Origins

Origin of tripwire1

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Example Sentences

The tripwire for an unfolding plot to take control of the flight would be the transponder, operated by a switch beside the pilots.

The transponder is really the tripwire for whatever began to unfold on that jet.

The emotions of Democrats are on a tripwire, ready to react at the slightest provocation.

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