Chinese finger trap
Tightens when pulled
A Chinese finger trap is a small woven tube, typically of bamboo or paper, that tightens around the fingers when pulled.
You insert a finger into each end; the harder you pull to escape, the more firmly it grips.
The toy is often used as a metaphor for problems that worsen with direct resistance: Anxiety is like a Chinese finger trap—fighting it only makes it worse.
Tall woody grass
- weavingInterlacing strands into fabric
- braidedInterlaced into rope-like form
- wovenInterlaced on loom
- cylinderCircular-based solid form
tube · handicraft · artisan · handmade · traditional · paper · rattan · palm-leaf
Contrary to expectations
- paradoxSeemingly absurd truth
- brainteaserPuzzle demanding clever thought
- riddlePuzzling question to solve
- conundrumPerplexing problem or question
solution · trick · logic · problem-solving · insight · ingenuity · challenge · discovery
bamboo
Tall woody grass
cylinder · tube · handicraft · artisan · handmade · traditional · paper · rattan · palm-leaf · interlaced
counterintuitive
Contrary to expectations
- paradoxSeemingly absurd truth
- brainteaserPuzzle demanding clever thought
- riddlePuzzling question to solve
conundrum · solution · trick · logic · problem-solving · insight · ingenuity · challenge · discovery · realization
novelty
Quality of being original
- playthingObject for amusement
- stocking-stufferSmall Christmas gift
- amusementPleased entertainment state
children · fun · souvenir · gimmick · prank · birthday · carnival · dexterity · interactive · tubular
stuck
Unable to move
- snareDevice for catching prey
- bindFasten or obligate
- confinementState of being restricted
quagmire · impasse · deadlock · restraint · tightening · grip · escape · struggle · pull · resist
- prankspranks, prank calls, prank call, prank video, practical jokes
- hand gamesrock paper scissors, cat's cradle, thumb war, thumb wrestling, patty cake
- desk toysNewton's cradle, fidget spinner, stress ball, fidget cube, kinetic sand
- folk toyskendama, folk toys, nesting dolls, dreidel, handcrafted toys
Chinese finger trapslip knot
Self-tightening binding
rip cord · pull tab · emergency release · velcro strap · snap fastener
Chinese finger trapslip knot
Self-tightening binding
noose · lasso · bungee cord · rubber band
Chinese, finger, fingers, fingered, fingering, trapped, trapping, trapper, China