honey trap

or hon·ey·trap

[ huhn-ee-trap ]

noun

1. an investigative technique that tests the fidelity of a spouse or significant other by attempting to lure them into a romantic or sexual liaison:

   The private eye used a classic honey trap to get evidence that her husband was cheating.

2. a scenario in espionage whereby an agent enters into a romantic or sexual relationship with a civilian and seeks to leverage that intimacy to coerce or blackmail the target or to discover secret information.

Word History and Origins

Origin of honey trap¹

First recorded in 1970–75; popularized by John le Carré in his novel Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy ( 1974 )

Example Sentences

A prominent Conservative lawmaker, William Wragg, owned up to his unwitting role in what is being called the “honey trap” scandal late Thursday, admitting that he had given the phone numbers of fellow members of Parliament to someone he had met on Grindr, a gay dating app.

From New York Times

One of her contacts was receiving treatment for it in hospital when he became the victim of a honey trap.

From BBC

Some suggest that baiting people into revealing secrets is just another, more modern version of a honey trap.

From BBC

The Fox host led into this by characterizing Twitter, when it was run by Jack Dorsey, as a global intelligence agency "honey trap."

From Salon

“It’s a honey trap,” he added.

From New York Times