snare
/sneə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /sner/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈsner/ (ame, mw) · /sneər/ (bre, ipa)
snare — noun
- snaresingular
- snaresplural
1. a loop of wire, cord, or thin rope set up to catch small wild animals — when the
a loop of wire, cord, or thin rope set up to catch small wild animals — when the animal walks through it, the loop pulls tight around a leg or neck and holds it in place until the hunter returns
Ravi set a wire snare beside the rabbit hole before heading back to camp for supper.
collocation: set a snare
The park ranger cut away a rusted snare that had closed around a fox's hind leg.
Priya bent a thin steel wire into a noose and tied the snare to a low tree stump.
Illegal snares left in the forest after hunting season can badly injure wandering dogs.
Mr. Watanabe taught the boys how to place a snare along the path where hares feed at dawn.
文法句型
set a snare
a snare for [animal]
caught in a snare
wire snare
用法筆記
Distinguish from 'trap' — a snare specifically uses a loop that tightens around the animal, while a trap can be any catching device (a cage, a pit, spring-loaded jaws, etc.).
常見錯誤
2. a situation or arrangement that looks attractive or harmless at first but is act
a situation or arrangement that looks attractive or harmless at first but is actually meant to trick someone or get them into a difficult position they cannot easily escape
The loan offer turned out to be a snare — hidden fees pushed Mateo deep into debt.
metaphorical use: [something] turned out to be a snare
Amara realised the online job posting was a snare for stealing personal bank details.
The politician walked right into a journalist's snare by answering a carefully crafted question.
Friendly strangers offering free holidays are often setting a snare for unwary tourists.
Lin's cousin fell into a romantic snare online and lost thousands before understanding the scam.
- safety
a state free from danger or deception
- safe haven
a place or situation that offers protection, the opposite of a trap
文法句型
a snare for [someone]
fall into a snare
walk into a snare
set a snare for [someone]
用法筆記
Distinguish from noun/1 (NOOSE TRAP) — this is the figurative extension. A 'snare' in this sense is always a human scheme or deceptive setup, never a physical device made of wire or rope.
常見錯誤
3. a set of thin metal wires or coiled strings stretched tightly across the lower s
a set of thin metal wires or coiled strings stretched tightly across the lower skin of a small drum — these vibrate against that skin when the top is struck, producing the instrument's sharp, rattling sound
Keiko tightened the snares on her drum before the jazz band's second set began.
collocation: tighten the snares
When the drummer switched off the snares, the drum produced a dull, hollow tone.
collocation: switch off the snares
A single broken snare wire can make the whole drum sound flat and lifeless.
Jamal adjusted the tension knob to press the snares closer to the bottom skin.
The marching band's crisp sound came partly from the steel snares rattling against each beat.
文法句型
the snares of a drum
tighten the snares
switch off the snares
snare tension
用法筆記
Almost always plural ('snares'). A snare drum typically has 12 to 24 individual wire strands, and musicians talk about 'the snares' as a collective unit. 'Snare wire' is the singular strand.
4. a small cylindrical drum, wider than it is tall, with metal wires fixed against
a small cylindrical drum, wider than it is tall, with metal wires fixed against its lower surface that rattle when the upper surface is hit — widely used in marching bands, orchestras, and rock music
Diego practised on his snare for an hour before the school concert started.
collocation: practise on a snare
The snare gave a crisp crack as the drummer struck it sharply with the wooden stick.
Fatima's band needed a new snare, so they saved up for a vintage brass model.
A well-tuned snare cuts through the loudest guitars and keeps the whole band in time.
The student borrowed a snare from the music room and practised simple rhythms until sunset.
- snare drum
the full, formal term — no difference in meaning
- side drum
an older term still used in classical and orchestral settings
文法句型
play the snare
a snare and [another instrument]
on snare
用法筆記
This is a shortened everyday term for 'snare drum'. Musicians and listeners commonly say 'snare' in conversation, but in formal writing or when first introducing the instrument, 'snare drum' is clearer. Distinguish from noun/3 (DRUM WIRES), which refers only to the rattling wires on the drum, not the drum itself.
常見錯誤
snare — verb
- snarepresent simple I / you / we / they
- snares3rd person singular
- snaring-ing form
- snaredpast simple
1. to catch a wild animal by placing a loop of wire or cord that tightens around it
to catch a wild animal by placing a loop of wire or cord that tightens around it when it walks through and holds it until the hunter arrives
Linh snared three rabbits during the winter and used the fur to line her boots.
snare + [number] + [animal] — transitive with animal object
Uncle Hassan taught the boys how to snare wild birds without hurting them badly.
how to snare + [animal] — infinitive of purpose pattern
The poacher was fined for snaring protected deer inside the national park boundary.
A hunter who snares rare animals in the reserve can face a prison sentence.
Old Kojo had snared squirrels on this same hillside since he was a young boy.
文法句型
snare + [animal]
be snared
snare + [number] + [animal]
用法筆記
Object must be an animal. For catching or deceiving people, see verb/2 (ENTRAP FIGURATIVELY). The passive form 'be snared' is common when the agent is not important: 'The fox was snared overnight.'
常見錯誤
2. to get something you want, or to draw someone into a difficult position, by usin
to get something you want, or to draw someone into a difficult position, by using clever tricks, charm, or deception — often by making the situation look harmless or attractive at first
The agent snared Carlos with promises of easy profits that turned out to be false.
snare + [person] + with + [promises]
Priya snared a senior role at the firm by charming the interview panel with made-up stories.
snare + [achievement]: snare a job/role
The marketing team snared thousands of new customers through misleading social media posts.
Online criminals snare elderly people by pretending to offer free health checks.
Diego snared his business rival in a contract clause that nobody had noticed.
文法句型
snare + [person] + with + [promises]
snare + [person] + into + [situation]
snare + a [job/contract/deal]
用法筆記
Object is usually a person, a group, or something gained through deception (a job, a deal, customers). The method always involves trickery or charm, never physical force. Distinguish from verb/1 (TRAP AN ANIMAL) which is literal and only takes animal objects.