trapped
[trˈæpt] /ˈtrap/ (ame, mw)
trapped — noun
1. a tool or hidden hole made to catch wild animals by snapping shut, dropping them
a tool or hidden hole made to catch wild animals by snapping shut, dropping them into a pit, or locking them inside a cage so they cannot get away
Anthony set a trap near the chicken coop to catch the thieving fox.
set a trap + preposition of location
The old bear trap lay rusting among the ferns, its iron jaws still half-open.
Feng covered the pit trap with branches so the wild boar would not spot it.
The ranger showed the campers how a spring trap snaps shut on the trigger plate.
Noor found a metal cage-trap in the garden, baited with apple for the squirrel.
常見錯誤
2. a harmful or unpleasant set of circumstances that closes in around someone, maki
a harmful or unpleasant set of circumstances that closes in around someone, making it very hard to break free or find a way out
Jabari realised he had walked into a trap when the office door locked behind him.
walk into a trap (figurative)
Gita fell into the trap of borrowing more money just to cover last month's bills.
fall into the trap of + -ing
The police laid a trap for the thief by posting fake auction details online.
Dahlia described her rushed marriage as a trap she had been too young to recognise.
Stefan warned his brother that the free holiday offer was almost certainly a trap.
- predicament
more formal; any difficult situation, not necessarily one that was set up deliberately
- bind
informal; a tight spot you cannot easily get out of, often used for minor difficulties
- dilemma
specifically a situation requiring a choice between two bad options, while a trap may have no choice at all
常見錯誤
3. a person's mouth, almost always used in phrases that tell someone to stop talkin
a person's mouth, almost always used in phrases that tell someone to stop talking
Mateo glared at his brother and growled, 'Shut your trap before Mum hears us.'
shut your trap — informal imperative
Felipe told the loud fan behind him to keep his trap shut during the film.
keep your trap shut
The coach pointed at Saira and said, 'Close your trap and listen to the instructions.'
Eitan told the heckler to shut his trap so the speaker could finish.
常見錯誤
4. a small carriage with two wheels and springs, pulled by a single horse, used in
a small carriage with two wheels and springs, pulled by a single horse, used in the past for short trips around the countryside
Niran's great-grandfather drove a trap to the village market every Sunday morning.
drive a trap — historical collocation
The museum displayed a polished wooden trap with red velvet seating and brass fittings.
Dahlia found a sketch of a couple riding in a trap along a seaside promenade.
The stable block still held a rusty trap from the 1890s, the agent told Felipe.
trapped — verb
- trappedpresent simple I / you / we / they
- trappeds3rd person singular
- trappeding-ing form
- trappededpast simple
1. to catch wild animals by using a device, net, or hidden pit, sometimes as a regu
to catch wild animals by using a device, net, or hidden pit, sometimes as a regular job or way of getting food and materials
Anthony traps rabbits in the forest and sells the fur at the winter fair.
trap + [animal] for [commercial purpose]
Eitan learned to trap fish with woven baskets from a canoe on the lake.
trap + [animal] + with [device]
The ranger said it is illegal to trap protected birds inside the nature reserve.
Stefan's grandfather trapped beavers for a living when he first moved north.
文法句型
trap + [animal]
trap for [purpose]
常見錯誤
2. to stop warmth, water, or a gas from leaving a space, holding it inside on purpo
to stop warmth, water, or a gas from leaving a space, holding it inside on purpose because retaining it brings a benefit
The greenhouse traps warmth all day and keeps the tomato plants alive through frost.
trap + [resource: warmth]
Feng said thick curtains trap heat inside and cut the electricity bill in half.
Wetlands trap excess rainwater and release it slowly, which helps prevent flooding downstream.
The jacket traps a thin layer of warm air between the fabric and your skin.
- release
to let go or allow to escape
文法句型
trap + [heat/water/gas/moisture]
常見錯誤
3. to be stuck in a place, building, or unpleasant life situation with no way to ge
to be stuck in a place, building, or unpleasant life situation with no way to get out, often because a door is blocked, an accident has happened, or circumstances have closed in
Jabari was trapped in the lift for three hours before the repair crew arrived.
passive: be trapped + preposition of place
Miners were trapped underground after the tunnel collapsed during the night shift.
Noor felt trapped in a job she hated, with debts growing and no way out.
A deer was trapped by its leg in a wire fence, so Dahlia called for help.
Felipe got trapped in a passport queue and nearly missed his connecting flight.
- stuck
more informal; 'stuck' is an adjective, so it fits naturally in 'I was stuck' but cannot be used as a verb ('I stuck the animal' means something else)
- stranded
specifically left in a remote place with no transport; 'trapped' is broader and covers confined spaces and situations
- cornered
implies being forced into a tight spot by a person or threat; 'trapped' can happen by accident
文法句型
be trapped + preposition of place
get trapped + preposition of place
feel trapped + in/inside
用法筆記
Usually passive. Using the active form 'trap someone' for this sense is possible but suggests deliberate action — for example, 'The kidnapper trapped the victim in the basement.' When describing an accident or unintended situation, use the passive.
常見錯誤
4. to trick or pressure someone so cleverly that they end up saying or doing someth
to trick or pressure someone so cleverly that they end up saying or doing something they never planned to do and later regret
Saira was trapped into signing the deal before she could read the fine print.
be trapped into + -ing
The journalist trapped the mayor into admitting the budget mistake live on the radio.
trap [person] into + -ing
Mateo felt trapped into a promise he had never intended to make that Friday night.
Gita warned her niece not to get trapped into buying a costly gym membership.
文法句型
be trapped into + -ing
trap [person] into + -ing
trap [person] into [noun phrase]
用法筆記
Almost always followed by 'into + -ing' or 'into + noun'. Distinguish from sense 3 (unable to escape): sense 4 is about being deceived into an action, not about being physically stuck somewhere.
常見錯誤
5. to use your foot, chest, or thigh to stop a moving or dropping football and brin
to use your foot, chest, or thigh to stop a moving or dropping football and bring it under close control so that you are ready to pass, dribble, or shoot
Feng trapped the long pass with his foot and turned sharply towards the goal.
trap + [pass] + with [body part]
The striker trapped the dropping ball on his chest and lashed it into the net.
Niran trapped the bouncing ball with her sole and scanned the pitch for a teammate.
The coach scolded Felipe for failing to trap a simple pass near the penalty box.
文法句型
trap + the ball
trap + a pass/cross + with [body part]
用法筆記
Used only in football (soccer). The object is always the ball or a specific type of pass.