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bait

Definition

  • noun: something (such as a piece of food) that is used to attract fish or animals so they can be caught
  • verb: to persecute or exasperate with unjust, malicious, or persistent attacks
  • verb: to put a piece of food on (a hook) or in (a trap) in order to attract and catch fish or animals
  • often used figuratively
  • synonyms: lure, enticement, temptation

Examples

  • The police waited for the bank robbers to 'take the bait'. [=to be tricked into doing the thing that would cause them to be trapped or caught]

  • ('chiefly Brit') The interviewer kept asking the politician whether he was lying, and he 'rose to the bait' by getting angry.

  • She 'baited' the mousetraps with pieces of cheese. = She used cheese to 'bait' the traps.

Movie clips

Movie quotes

  • (..) -But. Mac.... Mac. this thing ain't too steady. -Where are we going. Mac? -Straight. Just go on! This is the bait. Little tishes. Dead tishes. That's right. Now what are we going to do with these little tishes? (..)
    1975 One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest