steel trap
Quick, retentive intellect
A steel trap is a spring-loaded metal device that snaps shut to capture animals.
The phrase appears almost exclusively in the expression a mind like a steel trap, describing someone whose thinking is quick, sharp, and retentive—seizing on ideas the way the device seizes prey.
- sharpFine-edged, or astute
- sharp as a tackExtremely intelligent and alert
- razor sharpExtremely fine edge
- mindSeat of consciousness
- jawBone holding teeth
snap · memory · iron · teeth · clamp · iron grip · quick · wit · hunting · bite · spring · spring loaded · catch · keen · snare · metal · trigger · cunning
- Mind Idiomssharp mind, open mind, quick wit, bird brain, pea brain
- trapsmousetrap, deadfall, cage, noose, snare
- trapper gearsnare, skinning knife, powder horn, flintlock rifle, moccasins
- trappingsnare, snares, trapline, traplines, leg hold
- Carnivorous PlantsVenus flytrap, sundew, pitcher plant, butterwort, bladderwort
steel trapdim bulb
Intellectually sluggish person
slow on the uptake · thick-headed · airhead · scatterbrain · sieve
steel trapsieve
Mesh filtering utensil
absent-minded · scatterbrained · goldfish memory · forgetful · amnesiac
steel, trap, steels, steeled, steeling, steely, traps, trapped, trapping