honey trap

1 of 2

noun

variants or less commonly honey-trap

ˈhə-nē-ˌtrap 

plural honey traps also honey-traps

: a scheme in criminal activity or in espionage that involves using the possibility of a romantic or sexual relationship to lure someone into a compromising position often for the purpose of blackmailing them

Police said this was an elaborate honey trap—a plan to trick, dupe or disarm unsuspecting marks by using a well-dressed, presentable young woman as bait.

—Joe Warmington

In an article published on Wednesday, a social media account … said defence industry personnel were becoming targets of honey traps set by foreign intelligence agencies.

—Alcott Wei

also : someone who lures another into a honey trap

As a honey-trap my job is to get evidence that a man is willing to cheat and the mission is for the target—the man being honey-trapped—to kiss me on the lips, a proper, passionate kiss.

—Sadie Nicholas

honey-trap

2 of 2

verb

variants or less commonly honey trap

honey-trapped also honey trapped; honey-trapping also honey trapping; honey-traps also honey traps

transitive verb

: to use the possibility of a romantic or sexual relationship to lure (someone) into a compromising position often for the purpose of blackmailing them (as part of a criminal scheme or espionage) : to make (someone) the target of a honey trap

… the complainant … alleged that he was honey-trapped over an extended period and coerced into handing over cash, valuables, and household items after being threatened with defamation.

—Danish Azmi

The operative asked if it would be possible to honey trap the husband in order to capture incriminating photos.

—BBC News (transcript)

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1974, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1994, in the meaning defined above