Spring a trap
verb phrase
To unexpectedly catch someone in a trap or trick.
The police were able to spring a trap on the thieves, catching them in the act.
Often appears as...
- police spring a trap
- criminals spring a trap
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb phrase
To suddenly activate a trap or device designed to catch or harm others.
As soon as the mouse took the cheese, it sprang the trap.
Often appears as...
- spring a mousetrap
- spring a booby trap
verb phrase
To suddenly reveal a secret or surprise that shocks or disturbs others.
He decided to spring a trap on his wife by revealing his long-time affair.
Often appears as...
- spring a trap by revealing
- unexpectedly spring a trap
Usage tips
Disapproving
Colloquial
verb phrase
To unexpectedly catch someone in a trap or trick.
The police were able to spring a trap on the thieves, catching them in the act.
Often appears as...
- police spring a trap
- criminals spring a trap
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb phrase
To suddenly activate a trap or device designed to catch or harm others.
As soon as the mouse took the cheese, it sprang the trap.
Often appears as...
- spring a mousetrap
- spring a booby trap
verb phrase
To suddenly reveal a secret or surprise that shocks or disturbs others.
He decided to spring a trap on his wife by revealing his long-time affair.
Often appears as...
- spring a trap by revealing
- unexpectedly spring a trap
Usage tips
Disapproving
Colloquial
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Strategic Surprise
Used when someone sets a well-planned trap to catch others off-guard, often in a strategic context.
The detectives had to think smartly to spring a trap on the elusive con artist.
Pro Tip 2/3Idiomatic Usage
This phrase is commonly used idiomatically to describe clever tactics beyond physical traps.
With clever questioning, the lawyer managed to spring a trap during the cross-examination.
Pro Tip 3/3Preparation Implicit
Implies prior planning and effort to create a successful setup to catch someone.
The sting operation took months to prepare before they could spring a trap on the ring.
Pro Tip 1/3Strategic Surprise
Used when someone sets a well-planned trap to catch others off-guard, often in a strategic context.
The detectives had to think smartly to spring a trap on the elusive con artist.
Pro Tip 2/3Idiomatic Usage
This phrase is commonly used idiomatically to describe clever tactics beyond physical traps.
With clever questioning, the lawyer managed to spring a trap during the cross-examination.
Pro Tip 3/3Preparation Implicit
Implies prior planning and effort to create a successful setup to catch someone.
The sting operation took months to prepare before they could spring a trap on the ring.
Pro Tip 1/3Strategic Surprise
Used when someone sets a well-planned trap to catch others off-guard, often in a strategic context.
The detectives had to think smartly to spring a trap on the elusive con artist.
Pro Tip 2/3Idiomatic Usage
This phrase is commonly used idiomatically to describe clever tactics beyond physical traps.
With clever questioning, the lawyer managed to spring a trap during the cross-examination.
Pro Tip 3/3Preparation Implicit
Implies prior planning and effort to create a successful setup to catch someone.
The sting operation took months to prepare before they could spring a trap on the ring.
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