booby trap
Concealed danger device
A booby trap is a concealed device designed to harm, kill, or surprise someone who triggers it unknowingly—a hidden explosive, a tripwire, a bucket balanced on a door.
The term covers both military weapons and harmless pranks.
To booby-trap something is to set such a device: They booby-trapped the entrance.
Figuratively, any hidden hazard that catches people unawares: The contract was booby-trapped with hidden fees.
Concealed activation cord
- detonatorExplosive initiation device
- triggerWhat initiates action
- pressure plateWeight-activated switch mechanism
- explosiveProne to sudden detonation
landmine · IED · claymore · grenade · fuse · timer · mechanism · snare
Thing that tempts
- decoyFalse target for misdirection
- ruseDeliberate act of deception
- ambushSurprise strike from concealment
- subterfugeDeliberate deception to conceal
trickery · bait · mislead · false trail · concealment · disguise · setup · snare
Explosive-laden territory
- IEDMakeshift explosive weapon
- landmineBuried pressure-activated explosive
- claymoreScottish great sword
- guerrillaIrregular armed fighter
sabotage · antipersonnel · perimeter · reconnaissance · demolition · incendiary · ambush · insurgent
Exposure to harm
- perilSerious threat of harm
- pitfallHidden danger or drawback
- riskPossibility of harm
- threatIndication of potential harm
menace · hidden danger · unexpected · harm · injury · accident · vulnerability · precariousness
Trick meant to amuse
- gagMouth restraint or jest
- trickDeliberate deception
- whoopee cushionAir-filled prank device
- fake spiderImitation eight-legged creature
spring snake · glitter bomb · stink bomb · scare prank · mischief · setup · victim · prankster
tripwire
Concealed activation cord
- detonatorExplosive initiation device
- triggerWhat initiates action
- pressure plateWeight-activated switch mechanism
explosive · landmine · IED · claymore · grenade · fuse · timer · mechanism · snare · pitfall
lure
Thing that tempts
- decoyFalse target for misdirection
- ruseDeliberate act of deception
- ambushSurprise strike from concealment
subterfuge · trickery · bait · mislead · false trail · concealment · disguise · setup · snare · cunning
minefield
Explosive-laden territory
- IEDMakeshift explosive weapon
- landmineBuried pressure-activated explosive
- claymoreScottish great sword
guerrilla · sabotage · antipersonnel · perimeter · reconnaissance · demolition · incendiary · ambush · insurgent · fortification
danger
Exposure to harm
threat · menace · hidden danger · unexpected · harm · injury · accident · vulnerability · precariousness · warning sign
practical joke
Trick meant to amuse
- gagMouth restraint or jest
- trickDeliberate deception
- whoopee cushionAir-filled prank device
fake spider · spring snake · glitter bomb · stink bomb · scare prank · mischief · setup · victim · prankster · gotcha
- weaponsknife, gun, sword, swords, rifle
- deterrentsguard dog, warning, security camera, penalty, padlock
- Indiana Jonesfedora, whip, artifact, idol, boulder
- prankspranks, prank calls, prank call, prank video, practical jokes
- trapsmousetrap, deadfall, cage, noose, snare
- pitfallspitfall, snare, catch, snag, hitch
booby trapsecurity system
Equipment preventing unauthorized access
safeguard · failsafe · safety net · protective barrier · guardian angel
booby trapwarning sign
Indicator of potential danger
advance notice · caution signal · alert · heads-up · fair warning
trap, trapped, traps, trapping, booby, entrap, trappings, trapper, boobies