trap
gb/tɹˈæp/ us/tɹˈæp/
B1
Angličtina
~ 7600
Významy
0 významů
Podstatné jméno
B1
entity
1
device for catching or holding
A tool or place used to catch an animal, person, or thing and stop it from getting away.
Vzorec užití:
a trap for [animals/people]
Častá chyba:
Learners sometimes confuse "trap" with "cage". A cage is a container with bars where you keep an animal for a long time. A trap is mainly for catching or stopping escape and is often used for a short time.
Synonyma
snare (Often refers specifically to a wire loop used to catch animals; slightly more technical or literary.)
Antonyma
escape route (Means a way to get out safely, the opposite of something that holds you in.)
Kolokace
mouse trap
|bear trap
|speed trap
|set a trap
|bait a trap
|fall into a trap
Témata
nature
|safety
|crime
|animals
|daily_life
Příklady
- They set a trap in the attic to catch the mice.
- The police used an online trap to catch the scammer.
- A hidden pit acted as a deadly trap for enemy soldiers.
- There was a speed trap on the highway, so everyone slowed down.
- The spider’s web worked like a natural trap for flying insects.
Učební příklady
- We put a trap in the kitchen to catch the rat.
- The hunter checked the trap early in the morning.
- The police used a trap to stop the thief’s car.
- The hole in the ground was a trap for wild animals.
Podstatné jméno
B2
state
2
hard-to-escape bad situation
A bad situation or place that is hard to get out of and often makes someone lose money, time, or safety.
Vzorec užití:
a [type of] trap for [someone]
Častá chyba:
Learners sometimes think "trap" in this sense must involve a crime. It can also be used more generally for any situation that is hard to escape, even if it is legal or not intentional (e.g., "a debt trap", "a poverty trap").
Synonyma
pitfall (Suggests a hidden problem or danger rather than a fully planned trick.)
Antonyma
opportunity (A situation that helps someone succeed, opposite of one that causes harm or failure.)
Kolokace
tourist trap
|poverty trap
|debt trap
|fall into a trap
|avoid the trap
|a legal trap
Témata
daily life
|money
|society
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Příklady
- Many young workers fall into the trap of taking on too much debt.
- The cheap tour turned out to be a tourist trap with low quality and high prices.
- He feared the job could be a career trap with no chance of promotion.
- The contract was full of legal traps for anyone who didn’t read it carefully.
- Online scams often use free gifts as a trap to get your personal information.
Učební příklady
- Buying things on credit can be a money trap.
- The restaurant near the station is a tourist trap.
- She saw the cheap offer as a trap and said no.
- He wants to leave the city because he feels it is a trap.
Sloveso
B1
action
3
catch and prevent escape
To catch someone or something and stop them from leaving or getting away.
Vzorec užití:
to trap [someone/something] [somewhere]
Častá chyba:
Learners sometimes say "He was in a trap" when they mean "He was trapped". Use "be trapped" to describe a person or thing that cannot get out: "He was trapped in the car," not "He was in a trap in the car" in most everyday situations.
Synonyma
capture (Focuses on the act of catching; does not always imply being held in a small space.)
Antonyma
free (Means to let someone go or remove them from a trapped situation.)
Kolokace
trap someone inside
|trap an animal
|trap the victim
|trapped beneath the rubble
|get trapped in
|be trapped under
Témata
daily life
|safety
|crime
|animals
|daily_life
Příklady
- The climbers were trapped in a cave after a sudden rockfall.
- Floodwaters trapped several families in their homes overnight.
- The fox was trapped in a metal cage and later released in the forest.
- Smoke trapped in the corridor made it hard for firefighters to see.
- A fallen tree trapped the car on the narrow road.
Učební příklady
- The snow trapped the car on the road.
- The child got trapped in the elevator.
- We trapped the bird in a box and then let it go.
- Mud trapped his boots, and he could not move.
Sloveso
B2
action
4
force or trick into action
To make someone do or say something they do not really want to do, by tricking them or giving them no real choice.
Vzorec užití:
to trap [someone] into [doing/saying something]
Častá chyba:
Learners sometimes say "trap someone to do" instead of "trap someone into doing". Use the pattern: "trap someone into doing something" (with "into" and the -ing form).
Synonyma
corner (Suggests putting someone in a position where they must answer or act; slightly more physical/immediate image.)
Antonyma
protect (To keep someone away from harmful or unfair situations instead of pushing them into them.)
Kolokace
trap someone into signing
|trap someone into admitting
|trap a politician into a mistake
|feel trapped into marriage
|trap consumers into contracts
Témata
communication
|relationships
|crime
Příklady
- The reporter tried to trap the minister into admitting he had lied.
- Customers felt they had been trapped into paying extra fees.
- He was trapped into agreeing by pressure from his family.
- The question was designed to trap her into making a careless comment.
- She refused to be trapped into choosing between her job and her children.
Učební příklady
- He felt trapped into saying yes to the plan.
- The lawyer tried to trap the witness into a lie.
- They trapped many people into bad phone contracts.
- She did not want to be trapped into answering that question.
unknown
B2
action
5
hold heat, air, or liquid
To keep heat, air, water, or another thing in one place so it cannot get out.
Vzorec užití:
to trap [heat/air/liquid] [somewhere]
Častá chyba:
Learners sometimes confuse this with "store". "Trap" suggests keeping something that would normally escape (like heat, air, or gas), often by blocking its way out. "Store" is more neutral and does not imply blocking escape.
Synonyma
retain (More formal and general; does not always suggest something is being held against its tendency to escape.)
Antonyma
release (Means to let something out instead of keeping it in.)
Kolokace
trap heat
|trap moisture
|trap air
|trap dust
|trap water
|trap carbon dioxide
Témata
science
|environment
|technology
|daily_life
Příklady
- Greenhouse gases trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere.
- The thick curtains help trap warm air inside the room.
- This new material can trap moisture and keep your skin dry.
- The lid traps steam inside the pot, cooking the food faster.
- The filter is designed to trap dust particles before they reach the engine.
Učební příklady
- Clouds can trap heat near the ground.
- The glass roof traps hot air in the car.
- A heavy coat traps warm air near your body.
- This sponge can trap a lot of water.
Podstatné jméno
informal
C1
entity
6
mouth (rude, joking)
A rude or joking word for a person’s mouth when they are speaking.
Vzorec užití:
to shut/close/open [someone’s] trap
Častá chyba:
Learners may not recognize that this sense is informal and can sound rude. Use it only in very casual speech, and not in polite or professional situations.
Synonyma
mouth (Neutral and polite; "trap" is more rude or playful.)
Kolokace
shut your trap
|keep your trap shut
|open his big trap
Témata
communication
|slang
|body
Příklady
- Why don’t you just keep your trap shut for a minute?
- He opened his big trap and told everyone the secret.
- She told him to stop running his trap about things he didn’t understand.
Učební příklady
- He told his brother, "Shut your trap!"
- She kept her trap shut during the meeting.
- Don’t open your trap if you don’t know the facts.
Podstatné jméno
informal
B2
entity
7
trap music genre
A kind of hip-hop music with strong bass and drums and lyrics that often talk about life on the street and selling drugs.
Vzorec užití:
trap music / a trap beat
Častá chyba:
Learners sometimes think "trap" always means this music style. In most contexts, especially outside music, it still has its older meanings related to catching or difficult situations.
Synonyma
hip-hop (A broader genre; trap is one specific style inside hip-hop.)
Kolokace
trap music
|trap beat
|trap producer
|trap artist
|trap track
Témata
music
|culture
|arts_entertainment
Příklady
- Trap music has become one of the most popular styles in modern hip-hop.
- The producer is known for his heavy trap beats.
- She prefers old-school boom-bap to today’s trap sound.
Učební příklady
- He listens to trap music when he works out.
- Many rappers now make songs with trap beats.
- Trap is one style of hip-hop music.
Podstatné jméno
slang
C1
entity
8
place where drugs are sold
A house or room where people keep, sell, or use illegal drugs.
Vzorec užití:
in the trap / run the trap
Častá chyba:
Learners may not realize that this meaning is strongly connected to hip-hop slang and criminal activity. It is not suitable for formal situations, and using it without understanding the cultural background can sound strange or insensitive.
Synonyma
drug den (Similar meaning but more general and somewhat more formal; less tied to hip-hop slang.)
Kolokace
trap house
|in the trap
|run the trap
|leave the trap
Témata
crime
|slang
|society
|law
|housing
|health
Příklady
- He grew up around a trap where drugs were sold every night.
- The police raided the trap house early in the morning.
- Many trap songs describe life in and around the trap.
Učební příklady
- The rapper talks about life in the trap.
- The police closed the trap and made many arrests.
- He said he wanted to leave the trap and live a better life.
Podstatné jméno
technical
C1
action
9
basketball double-team defense
In basketball, a way of defending where two players quickly go to the player with the ball to stop them and make them lose the ball.
Vzorec užití:
a trap on [player] / full-court trap
Častá chyba:
Learners who know only the basic meaning of "trap" may be confused when they hear it in a sports context. In basketball, it does not involve a physical device; it is a planned way of defending.
Synonyma
double-team (Very close in meaning; "double-team" is often used as a verb, while "trap" is often used as a noun for the specific tactic.)
Kolokace
full-court trap
|half-court trap
|set a trap
|break the trap
|double-team trap
Témata
sports
Příklady
- The team used a full-court trap to pressure the opposing guards.
- They set a quick trap on the point guard right after the inbound pass.
- If you can break the trap, you often get an easy shot.
Učební příklady
- The coach taught them how to use a trap in defense.
- They tried a full-court trap in the last two minutes.
- The guard passed the ball quickly to escape the trap.
Podstatné jméno
vulgar
C2
entity
10
offensive term for trans woman
A rude, insulting word used online for a transgender woman or a man who looks very feminine, as if that person is trying to trick others. This word is considered a slur and should not be used.
Vzorec užití:
used as a label for [someone]
Častá chyba:
Learners might see this use in online comments or memes and not realize it is a slur. It should not be used in conversation, jokes, or social media, even if other people use it.
Témata
gender
|internet
|slang
|communication
|relationships
Příklady
- The term is a transphobic slur, and calling someone a trap is hurtful and disrespectful.
- Many online communities now ban the word because it treats trans women as if they are deceiving people.
- Language teachers should clearly mark "trap" as offensive when it is used about transgender people.
Učební příklady
- Do not call anyone a trap; it is a rude and hateful word.
- Some websites remove posts that use the word trap for transgender people.
- This meaning of trap is very offensive and should be avoided.
Gramatika
Slovníkový tvar
trap
IPA
GB/tɹˈæp/
US/tɹˈæp/
Slabiky a přízvuk
trap (1 slabika)
Stress on 1st syllable (trap)
Tvary slova
Noun
- Base: trap
- Plural: traps
Verb
- Base: trap
- 3rd Person Singular: traps
- Present Participle: trapping
- Past: trapped
Příbuzná slova
Forms
traps
noun
trapping
verb
trapped
verb
Related words
trapper
noun
mousetrap
noun
trapdoor
noun
Advanced or less common
entrap
verb
entrapment
noun
Gramatické poznámky
- Irregular present participle: trapping Verb
- Irregular past: trapped Verb
Výrazy
booby trap
1/bˈubi tɹˈæp/
fixed phrase
hidden device that harms intruders
A hidden device or setup that will hurt or kill someone when they touch or move something, often used in war or crime.
Příklady
- The soldiers found a booby trap under the doorway.
- The box was wired with a booby trap that exploded when it was opened.
death trap
1/dˈɛθ tɹˈæp/
fixed phrase
very unsafe place or thing
A place, vehicle, or building that is very unsafe and could easily cause someone to die.
Příklady
- That old factory is a death trap with no fire exits.
- He refuses to ride in that car; he says it’s a death trap.
fall into a trap
1/fˈɔl ˈɪntu ə tɹˈæp/
idiom
be caught by a trick
To be caught or harmed by a trick or difficult situation because you did not see the danger in time.
Příklady
- Many new investors fall into the trap of chasing quick profits.
- He fell into their trap and revealed information he should have kept secret.
full-court trap
1/fˈʊl kˈɔɹt tɹˈæp/
fixed phrase
technical
basketball defense over whole court
In basketball, a way of defending where players try to trap the player with the ball over the whole court, not just near the basket.
Příklady
- The coach called for a full-court trap to create quick turnovers.
- Their full-court trap tired the other team and led to easy baskets.
it’s a trap
1/ˈɪts ə tɹˈæp/
fixed phrase
warning about a trick
Used to warn someone that a situation is not safe or honest and is designed to catch or trick them.
Příklady
- Don’t click that link; it’s a trap.
- When he offered to help for free, she felt it was a trap.
lay a trap
1/lˈeɪ ə tɹˈæp/
fixed phrase
create a plan to catch someone
To create a secret plan or situation that will catch or hurt someone later.
Příklady
- Detectives laid a trap for the blackmailer.
- They suspected their rivals had laid a trap for them at the meeting.
set a trap
1/sˈɛt ə tɹˈæp/
fixed phrase
prepare something to catch later
To prepare a device or a situation that will catch or trick someone or something later.
Příklady
- The police set a trap for the gang using an undercover officer.
- We set a trap in the basement to catch the mice.
shut your trap
1/ʃˈʌt jˈʊɹ tɹˈæp/
idiom
informal
tell someone to be quiet rudely
To tell someone in a rude or angry way to stop talking.
Příklady
- Why don’t you just shut your trap and listen for a change?
- He told his brother to shut his trap during the movie.
speed trap
1/spˈid tɹˈæp/
fixed phrase
hidden police speed check
A place on a road where police wait and check how fast cars are going so they can stop drivers who are driving too fast.
Příklady
- There’s a speed trap just after the bend, so slow down.
- Drivers complained that the new speed trap was only there to make money.
trap door
1/tɹˈæp dˈɔɹ/
fixed phrase
door in a floor or ceiling
A door in a floor, ceiling, or hidden place that opens to a space below or above.
Příklady
- They escaped through a trap door in the stage floor.
- The old house even had a trap door leading to a secret cellar.
trap house
1/tɹˈæp hˈaʊs/
fixed phrase
slang
house where drugs are sold
A house or apartment where people keep, sell, or use illegal drugs.
Příklady
- He grew up next to a trap house on the corner.
- Many rap lyrics describe life inside the trap house.
trap in
1/tɹˈæp ˈɪn/
phrasal verb
keep someone or something inside
To keep someone or something inside a place or situation so that they cannot get out.
Příklady
- The fire trapped in the hallway made it impossible to reach the exit.
- High walls trap in the heat during the summer.
trap music
1/tɹˈæp mjˈuzɪk/
fixed phrase
informal
hip-hop style called trap
Hip-hop music in the style called trap, with strong bass and fast drums.
Příklady
- He started his career making trap music in his bedroom.
- Trap music has influenced a lot of pop songs in recent years.
trapped in
1/tɹˈæpt ˈɪn/
fixed phrase
unable to leave place or situation
Used to say that someone or something cannot get out of a place or situation.
Příklady
- Residents were trapped in their homes by the rising water.
- She felt trapped in a job she didn’t enjoy.
walk into a trap
1/wˈɔk ˈɪntu ə tɹˈæp/
idiom
unknowingly enter harmful situation
To go into a situation that will harm you, without seeing the danger until it is too late.
Příklady
- By answering the question, he walked straight into a trap.
- She realized too late that she had walked into a financial trap.
poverty trap
1/pˈɑvɚti tɹˈæp/
fixed phrase
Cycle keeping people poor
A situation where people stay poor because they cannot earn enough to improve their lives.
Příklady
- High childcare costs can create a poverty trap for single parents.
- The program aims to break the poverty trap.
- Many development programs try to help families escape the poverty trap.
thirst trap
1/θˈɚst tɹˈæp/
idiom
informal
sexy post to get attention
A photo or social media post that is made to look very attractive in order to get a lot of sexual or romantic attention from other people.
Příklady
- He posted a shirtless thirst trap on Instagram after his workout.
- She joked that her beach selfie was just a thirst trap.
thirst trap
2/θˈɚst tɹˈæp/
idiom
slang
Post made to get attention online
A photo or message shared online to make people notice you in a sexual way.
Příklady
- She posted a selfie as a thirst trap.
- That shirtless photo was clearly a thirst trap.
tourist trap
1/tˈʊɹɪst tɹˈæp/
fixed phrase
informal
Overpriced tourist spot
A place that attracts tourists but charges too much or is not worth visiting.
Příklady
- That restaurant is a tourist trap – the food is bad and expensive.
- Avoid tourist traps if you want an authentic experience.
tourist trap
2/tˈʊɹɪst tɹˈæp/
fixed phrase
place that overcharges tourists
A place that is popular with tourists but takes too much money for poor or average food, goods, or services.
Příklady
- That restaurant by the station is a total tourist trap.
- Locals avoid the tourist traps near the main square.