entrap

/ɪnˈtræp/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪnˈtræp/ (ame, ipa) · /in-ˈtrap en-/ (ame, mw)

entrap — verb

  • entrappresent simple I / you / we / they
  • entrapshe / she / it
  • entrappedpast simple
  • entrapping-ing form

1. To push someone into saying or doing something unusual for them by using tricker

1.動詞及物C1
釋義

To push someone into saying or doing something unusual for them by using trickery or unfair pressure.

例句

Paloma felt the salesman had entrapped her into buying an extra service plan.

entrap + someone + into + -ing

Yumi said the online game entrapped children into spending money they did not have.

同義詞
  • trick

    broader and more common; does not always suggest sustained pressure

  • lure

    stresses attraction or temptation more than unfair pressure

  • manipulate

    focuses on controlling someone, not always on making them commit a specific act

反義詞
  • warn

    to alert someone so they avoid the harmful act or situation

文法句型

entrap + someone + into + -ing

entrap + someone + by + -ing

用法筆記

Often followed by 'into' plus an -ing form. This sense focuses on manipulation or unfair pressure, not on physically blocking escape; compare sense 2.

常見錯誤

❌The rocks entrapped the hikers on the path.
✅The rocks trapped the hikers on the path.
💡'Entrap' in this sense is about unfairly causing an action, not simply blocking movement.

2. To leave a person or thing stuck somewhere, or in a hard situation, with no easy

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

To leave a person or thing stuck somewhere, or in a hard situation, with no easy way out.

例句

Fallen rocks entrapped two climbers on a narrow ledge all night.

entrap + someone + in a place

Smoke from the kitchen fire entrapped the family upstairs until firefighters arrived.

同義詞
  • trap

    the simpler and more common verb for keeping someone from getting out

  • strand

    often suggests being left somewhere with no transport or help

  • corner

    often implies forcing someone into a position with no good choice

反義詞
  • free

    to allow someone or something to get out

  • release

    to let a trapped person or thing go

文法句型

entrap + someone/something + in + place

entrap + someone + in + situation

用法筆記

Usually takes 'in' plus a place or situation. Unlike sense 1, the key idea here is that escape is difficult after the person or thing becomes stuck.

3. To persuade someone to break the law as part of a plan to arrest or charge them

3.動詞及物C1
釋義

To persuade someone to break the law as part of a plan to arrest or charge them afterward.

例句

Defense lawyers argued that undercover officers entrapped Christopher into selling stolen phones.

legal use: entrap + suspect + into + crime

The judge ruled that police had entrapped the driver into carrying illegal pills.

同義詞
  • set up

    informal and broader; may include false blame even when no crime was encouraged

  • induce

    formal and wider in meaning; does not itself imply a legal trap

  • lure

    can describe attracting someone into wrongdoing, but does not by itself suggest later prosecution

反義詞
  • clear

    to show that someone should not be blamed or charged

文法句型

entrap + suspect + into + crime

claim that police entrapped + someone

用法筆記

Usually used in police or court contexts and often appears in arguments about whether officials acted improperly. Unlike sense 1, the act is specifically a crime or illegal act.

常見錯誤

❌The ad entrapped me into buying the shoes.
✅The ad tricked me into buying the shoes.
💡Sense 3 is only for causing someone to commit a crime so authorities can act against them.