Claptrap
noun
Speech or writing that is false or meaningless, often designed to impress others.
She dismissed his remarks as mere claptrap designed to impress the crowd.
Often appears as...
- mere claptrap
- absolute claptrap
noun
Equipment used in filmmaking to mark the start of a scene.
The director cried 'Action!' and slapped the claptrap shut.
Often appears as...
- slap the claptrap
- claptrap shut
Usage tips
Technical
noun
Speech or writing that is false or meaningless, often designed to impress others.
She dismissed his remarks as mere claptrap designed to impress the crowd.
Often appears as...
- mere claptrap
- absolute claptrap
noun
Equipment used in filmmaking to mark the start of a scene.
The director cried 'Action!' and slapped the claptrap shut.
Often appears as...
- slap the claptrap
- claptrap shut
Usage tips
Technical
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Avoid In Essays
Don't use 'claptrap' in formal writing; it's informal and can seem rude or unprofessional.
Including claptrap in your essay may reduce your grade.
Pro Tip 2/3Reveal Insincerity
'Claptrap' suggests someone is not sincere, as they're using fancy words with no real meaning.
Politicians often spew claptrap to avoid answering questions.
Pro Tip 3/3Critique Speech
Use 'claptrap' to critique speech or writing you find pompous or trying too hard to impress.
The professor's lecture was full of claptrap, lacking substance.
Pro Tip 1/3Avoid In Essays
Don't use 'claptrap' in formal writing; it's informal and can seem rude or unprofessional.
Including claptrap in your essay may reduce your grade.
Pro Tip 2/3Reveal Insincerity
'Claptrap' suggests someone is not sincere, as they're using fancy words with no real meaning.
Politicians often spew claptrap to avoid answering questions.
Pro Tip 3/3Critique Speech
Use 'claptrap' to critique speech or writing you find pompous or trying too hard to impress.
The professor's lecture was full of claptrap, lacking substance.
Pro Tip 1/3Avoid In Essays
Don't use 'claptrap' in formal writing; it's informal and can seem rude or unprofessional.
Including claptrap in your essay may reduce your grade.
Pro Tip 2/3Reveal Insincerity
'Claptrap' suggests someone is not sincere, as they're using fancy words with no real meaning.
Politicians often spew claptrap to avoid answering questions.
Pro Tip 3/3Critique Speech
Use 'claptrap' to critique speech or writing you find pompous or trying too hard to impress.
The professor's lecture was full of claptrap, lacking substance.
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Video examples
A reality check on...
talk about life after fossil fuels and climate change action I think there's a lot of fluff a lot of green wash a lot of misleading advertising and I feel a duty as a physicist to try to guide people round the claptrap and help people understand the actions that
Video examples
David Mackay: A reality...
And when people talk about life after fossil fuels and climate change action, I think there's a lot of fluff, a lot of greenwash, a lot of misleading advertising, and I feel a duty as a physicist to try to guide people around the claptrap
Video examples
A reality check on...
talk about life after fossil fuels and climate change action I think there's a lot of fluff a lot of green wash a lot of misleading advertising and I feel a duty as a physicist to try to guide people round the claptrap and help people understand the actions that
Video examples
David Mackay: A reality...
And when people talk about life after fossil fuels and climate change action, I think there's a lot of fluff, a lot of greenwash, a lot of misleading advertising, and I feel a duty as a physicist to try to guide people around the claptrap
Example 1 of 2
Quote examples
Rosemary Mahoney
American Writer
I, for one, find writing excruciating. Some mornings, as I'm on my way to my desk, my hands actually tremble with fear. The fear, of course, is that I'll sit down at the desk and discover that what I've written is claptrap. Fear inevitably leads to procrastination.
Quote examples
Anthony Hopkins
Welsh Actor
I know that the arts are important. I'm not denying that, but I can't associate myself with all the claptrap that goes on around it.
Quote examples
Rosemary Mahoney
American Writer
I, for one, find writing excruciating. Some mornings, as I'm on my way to my desk, my hands actually tremble with fear. The fear, of course, is that I'll sit down at the desk and discover that what I've written is claptrap. Fear inevitably leads to procrastination.
Quote examples
Anthony Hopkins
Welsh Actor
I know that the arts are important. I'm not denying that, but I can't associate myself with all the claptrap that goes on around it.
Example 1 of 2
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