1. a device used to catch and kill mice
2. a situation or scheme designed to trick or catch someone
Usage: figurative

Examples

• The old wooden mousetrap caught three mice last week.
• She set mousetraps around the kitchen to deal with the rodent problem.
• The spring-loaded mousetrap snapped shut when the mouse touched the cheese.
• He baited the mousetrap with peanut butter instead of cheese.
• The detective realized the meeting was a mousetrap designed to catch the thief.
• Don’t fall into their mousetrap of false promises and easy money.