trip wire
noun
1
: a low-placed concealed wire used especially in warfare to trip an enemy or trespasser and usually to trigger an alarm or explosive device when moved
2
: something (such as a small military force) intended to function like a trip wire (as to set a larger military force in motion)
Examples of trip wire in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Having some European forces on the ground as trip wires, building up economic integration.
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NBC news, 10 Aug. 2025
The structure of the False Claims Act and the certification language could leave schools vulnerable to challenges from anyone, said the university leader, who added that their school had briefly paused some grant activity and set up a committee to scour for potential trip wires.
—Glenn Thrush, New York Times, 20 May 2025
No cutting-edge technology is without ethical trip wires.
—Raghu Para, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
Voters have ideas Lawmakers are back in the Capitol this week with big ambitions, a messy calendar and a thousand potential trip wires, especially among Republicans who call the shots.
—Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for trip wire
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NBC news, 10 Aug. 2025
The structure of the False Claims Act and the certification language could leave schools vulnerable to challenges from anyone, said the university leader, who added that their school had briefly paused some grant activity and set up a committee to scour for potential trip wires.
—Glenn Thrush, New York Times, 20 May 2025
No cutting-edge technology is without ethical trip wires.
—Raghu Para, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
Voters have ideas Lawmakers are back in the Capitol this week with big ambitions, a messy calendar and a thousand potential trip wires, especially among Republicans who call the shots.
—Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for trip wire
Cite this Entry
“Trip wire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trip%20wire. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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