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.

explosive

mine

Ore excavation site

  • landmineBuried pressure-activated explosive
  • IEDMakeshift explosive weapon
  • tripwireConcealed activation cord

claymore · grenade · detonator · dynamite · C4 · TNT · fuse · timer · trigger · shrapnel

hazard

danger

Exposure to harm

  • perilSerious threat of harm
  • riskPossibility of harm
  • threatIndication of potential harm

warning · tripwire · hidden · concealed · unsuspecting · victim · injury · harm · deadly · lethal

deception

ruse

Deliberate act of deception

  • decoyFalse target for misdirection
  • lureThing that tempts
  • baitLure for prey

snare · trick · guile · subterfuge · artifice · feint · stratagem · pitfall · mislead · concealed

military

minefield

Explosive-laden territory

camouflage · reconnaissance · bunker · fortification · trench · tactical · demolition · saboteur · infiltration · enemy

prank

joke

Humorous statement seeking laughter

mischief · bucket · spring-loaded · glitter bomb · whoopee cushion · fake spider · stunt · setup · gotcha · prankster

sabotage

undermine

Weaken by stealth

rig · wire · plant · set · infiltrate · compromise · target · vulnerable · damage · destroy

Opposites
concealment vs visibility

booby-trapwarning sign

Indicator of potential danger

clear signal · safety notice · beacon · hazard sign · signal flare

harm vs protection

booby-trapsafeguard

Precaution against harm

protective measure · security system · shield · failsafe · safety net

deception vs honesty

booby-trapfair warning

Reasonable advance notice

advance notice

Family

boobytrap, boobytraps, boobytrapped, boobytrapping

Familiarity
Top 100,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated PG