A trap is a device designed to catch and hold animals or people. A mousetrap uses a spring mechanism to catch mice raiding your kitchen. Hunters might set traps to capture wild animals. Some traps work by luring something in with bait, then snapping shut or preventing escape.

The word also describes any trick or situation designed to catch someone off guard. If a friend asks “Do you think I'm smart?” and you suspect any answer will get you in trouble, you might recognize it as a trap. In stories, villains often set traps for heroes: a fake treasure map leading to a pit, or a seemingly empty room that locks once you enter. Chess players can set traps too, making moves that look like mistakes but actually force their opponent to lose a piece.

When you're trapped, you're stuck and can't get out easily. You might feel trapped in a boring conversation, trapped by a promise you regret making, or literally trapped in an elevator between floors. Being trapped creates pressure because your options suddenly become very limited. A character in a story might be trapped in a cave, trapped by a lie they told, or trapped between two difficult choices.

The phrase fall into a trap means to get caught by one of these tricks, whether physical or mental.