boobytrapping
Planting hidden dangers
Boobytrapping is the act of rigging something with a concealed device designed to harm or surprise whoever triggers it.
The term comes from military use—soldiers boobytrapping abandoned positions—but extends to pranks and sabotage: Someone's been boobytrapping the office with water buckets over doors.
Figuratively, anything set up to catch the unwary: The contract was boobytrapped with hidden fees.
Makeshift explosive weapon
- tripwireConcealed activation cord
- landmineBuried pressure-activated explosive
- claymoreScottish great sword
- minesOre extraction sites
detonator · explosives · grenade · incendiary · ambush · guerrilla · perimeter · demolition
Device for catching prey
- lureThing that tempts
- ambushSurprise strike from concealment
- decoyFalse target for misdirection
- concealmentAct of hiding something
camouflage · disguise · hidden · bait · pitfall · ruse · setup · tripwire
Improper interference with something
- disablingCausing loss of function
- riggingRopes controlling ship sails
- vandalismWillful property damage
- interferenceUnwelcome involvement in affairs
undermining · destruction · obstruction · malfunction · dismantling · compromise · disruption · incapacitation
Mouth restraint or jest
- jokeHumorous statement seeking laughter
- stuntDangerous feat for spectacle
- anticLudicrous or playful act
- surpriseUnexpected event causing astonishment
gotcha · setup · trigger · bucket · rigging · scare · startle · whoopee
Thing that discourages action
- alarmUrgent warning signal
- defenseProtection against harm
- fortificationStrengthening defenses or nutrients
- barrierObstruction preventing passage
safeguard · precaution · surveillance · perimeter · warning · detection · countermeasure · sweep
IED
Makeshift explosive weapon
- tripwireConcealed activation cord
- landmineBuried pressure-activated explosive
- claymoreScottish great sword
mines · detonator · explosives · grenade · incendiary · ambush · guerrilla · perimeter · demolition · trenches
snare
Device for catching prey
concealment · camouflage · disguise · hidden · bait · pitfall · ruse · setup · tripwire
tampering
Improper interference with something
- disablingCausing loss of function
- riggingRopes controlling ship sails
- vandalismWillful property damage
interference · undermining · destruction · obstruction · malfunction · dismantling · compromise · disruption · incapacitation · subversion
gag
Mouth restraint or jest
- jokeHumorous statement seeking laughter
- stuntDangerous feat for spectacle
- anticLudicrous or playful act
surprise · gotcha · setup · trigger · bucket · rigging · scare · startle · whoopee · confetti
deterrent
Thing that discourages action
- alarmUrgent warning signal
- defenseProtection against harm
- fortificationStrengthening defenses or nutrients
barrier · safeguard · precaution · surveillance · perimeter · warning · detection · countermeasure · sweep · clearance
boobytrappingdisarming
Allaying suspicion through warmth
defusing · safeguarding · securing · neutralizing · demining
trap, trapped, trapping, booby, trappings, trapper, entrapment, trappers, entrapping