Deathtrap

//ˈdɛθtɹæp// noun, slang

noun, slang ·Moderate ·College level

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    An extremely dangerous location, structure, or device. figuratively, informal

    "Route 9 is a deathtrap; they should at least put up guard rails."

  2. 2
    any structure that is very unsafe; where people are likely to be killed wordnet
  3. 3
    A plot device where a villain in a story puts a hero in an elaborate dangerous situation for the purposes of attempting a sadistic murder.

Synonyms

All synonyms
booby trapdeadfalldecoyginminemousetrap

Example

More examples

"Route 9 is a deathtrap; they should at least put up guard rails."

Etymology

From death + trap.

Related phrases

plot device

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Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.