booby trap

• Dispositivo oculto o disfrazado diseñado para causar daño, lesión o sorpresa cuando una persona desprevenida lo activa. También se usa en sentido figurado para describir una situación u objeto que parece inofensivo pero que en realidad es peligroso o problemático.

A hidden or disguised device designed to cause harm, injury, or surprise when triggered by an unsuspecting person. Also used figuratively to describe a situation or object that appears harmless but is actually dangerous or problematic.

1. B2formal

   A hidden explosive device designed to be triggered by an unsuspecting person.

   trampa explosiva

   • The soldiers carefully searched the building for booby traps.
   • The bomb squad safely disarmed the booby trap.
   • The rebels used a booby trap to ambush the patrol.

2. Practical joke deviceB1informal

   A harmless but surprising device set up to prank someone.

   Trampa de broma

   • He set up a booby trap with a bucket of water above the door.
   • The kids laughed when the booby trap made a loud noise.
   • She fell for the classic booby trap of a whoopee cushion.