booby-trap
Concealed explosive device
A booby-trap is a concealed device designed to harm or surprise someone who triggers it unknowingly—a tripwire that sets off an explosion, a bucket balanced over a door.
The term extends to any hidden danger or setup: The contract was booby-trapped with clauses that would cost us millions.
As a verb, to booby-trap is to set such a device: They booby-trapped the abandoned building.
Ore excavation site
- landmineBuried pressure-activated explosive
- IEDMakeshift explosive weapon
- tripwireConcealed activation cord
- claymoreScottish great sword
grenade · detonator · dynamite · C4 · TNT · fuse · timer · trigger
Exposure to harm
- perilSerious threat of harm
- riskPossibility of harm
- threatIndication of potential harm
- warningAlert about danger
tripwire · hidden · concealed · unsuspecting · victim · injury · harm · deadly
Deliberate act of deception
- decoyFalse target for misdirection
- lureThing that tempts
- baitLure for prey
- snareDevice for catching prey
trick · guile · subterfuge · artifice · feint · stratagem · pitfall · mislead
Explosive-laden territory
- ambushSurprise strike from concealment
- perimeterShape's outer edge length
- guerrillaIrregular armed fighter
- camouflageConcealment through visual blending
reconnaissance · bunker · fortification · trench · tactical · demolition · saboteur · infiltration
Humorous statement seeking laughter
- gagMouth restraint or jest
- trickDeliberate deception
- practical jokeTrick meant to amuse
- mischiefPlayful troublesome behavior
bucket · spring-loaded · glitter bomb · whoopee cushion · fake spider · stunt · setup · gotcha
Weaken by stealth
- disruptInterrupt and disorder
- disableRemove functional capacity
- tamperInterfere harmfully
- rigEquipment arrangement or vehicle
wire · plant · set · infiltrate · compromise · target · vulnerable · damage
mine
Ore excavation site
- landmineBuried pressure-activated explosive
- IEDMakeshift explosive weapon
- tripwireConcealed activation cord
claymore · grenade · detonator · dynamite · C4 · TNT · fuse · timer · trigger · shrapnel
danger
Exposure to harm
warning · tripwire · hidden · concealed · unsuspecting · victim · injury · harm · deadly · lethal
ruse
Deliberate act of deception
snare · trick · guile · subterfuge · artifice · feint · stratagem · pitfall · mislead · concealed
minefield
Explosive-laden territory
- ambushSurprise strike from concealment
- perimeterShape's outer edge length
- guerrillaIrregular armed fighter
camouflage · reconnaissance · bunker · fortification · trench · tactical · demolition · saboteur · infiltration · enemy
joke
Humorous statement seeking laughter
- gagMouth restraint or jest
- trickDeliberate deception
- practical jokeTrick meant to amuse
mischief · bucket · spring-loaded · glitter bomb · whoopee cushion · fake spider · stunt · setup · gotcha · prankster
undermine
Weaken by stealth
rig · wire · plant · set · infiltrate · compromise · target · vulnerable · damage · destroy
booby-trapwarning sign
Indicator of potential danger
clear signal · safety notice · beacon · hazard sign · signal flare
booby-trapsafeguard
Precaution against harm
protective measure · security system · shield · failsafe · safety net