steel trap

steel trap
noun
1. an acute intelligence (an analogy based on the well-known sharpness of steel traps) (Freq. 1)
-

he's as sharp as a steel trap

-

a mind like a steel trap

• Hypernyms: ↑acuteness, ↑acuity, ↑sharpness, ↑keenness
2. a trap made of steel with a strong spring and sharp toothlike projections to hold the prey
• Hypernyms: ↑trap

* * *

a trap for catching animals, consisting of spring-operated steel jaws with sharp projections that clamp shut.
[1725-35]

* * *

steel trap noun
One with steel jaws and spring
• • •
Main Entry: ↑steel

* * *

steel trap,
a trap with jaws and spring of steel.
steel-trap «STEEL TRAP», adjective.
resembling or suggesting a steel trap; sharp and powerful.

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Steel trap — Steel Steel (st[=e]l), n. [AS. st[=e]l, st[=y]l, st[=y]le; akin to D. staal, G. stahl, OHG. stahal, Icel. st[=a]l, Dan. staal, Sw. st[*a]l, Old Prussian stakla.] 1. (Metal) A variety of iron intermediate in composition and properties between… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Steel Trap — est un film allemand réalisé par Luis Cámara, sorti en 2007. Sommaire 1 Synopsis 2 Fiche technique 3 Distribution 4 Autour du film …   Wikipédia en Français

  • steel-trap — (stēlʹtrăpʹ) adj. Very quick and keen; trenchant: a steel trap intellect. * * * …   Universalium

  • steel trap — steel′ trap′ n. cvb a trap for catching animals, consisting of spring operated steel jaws with sharp projections that clamp shut • Etymology: 1725–35 …   From formal English to slang

  • steel-trap — ˈ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ adjective Etymology: from the phrase as sharp as a steel trap : extremely quick and penetrating of intellect a steel trap mind * * * steel trap, a trap with jaws and spring of steel. steel trap «STEEL TRAP», adjective …   Useful english dictionary

  • steel-trap — adjective Date: 1945 quick, incisive < a steel trap mind > …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • steel trap — a trap for catching animals, consisting of spring operated steel jaws with sharp projections that clamp shut. [1725 35] * * * …   Universalium

  • The Steel Trap — Infobox Film name = The Steel Trap image size = imdb id = 0045190 producer = Bert E. Friedlob director = Andrew L. Stone writer = Andrew L. Stone (screenplay) starring = Joseph Cotten Teresa Wright cinematography = Ernest Laszlo editing = Otto… …   Wikipedia

  • mind like a steel trap — {n. phr.} A very quick and understanding mind, which is quick to catch an idea. * /Henry is not fond of sports, but he has a mind like a steel trap./ * /A successful lawyer must have a mind like a steel trap./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • mind like a steel trap — {n. phr.} A very quick and understanding mind, which is quick to catch an idea. * /Henry is not fond of sports, but he has a mind like a steel trap./ * /A successful lawyer must have a mind like a steel trap./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

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