1 B2 neutral
to keep a person or animal enclosed and unable to escape
"The fallen rocks trapped the hikers in the narrow valley."
separable
trap in
B2 neutral separable transitive
to keep someone or something enclosed so they cannot get out
In plain English
keep someone or something stuck inside
What does "trap in" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic neutral
to keep heat, moisture, smell, or another substance inside something
"These windows help trap in heat during the winter."
separable
Usage tip
Used literally for people, heat, smells, and moisture. Often appears with passive forms such as 'be trapped in'.
Words that pair with "trap in"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
heat moisture gas people smoke air
How to conjugate "trap in"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
trap in
I/you/we/they
3rd person
traps in
he/she/it
Past simple
traped in
yesterday
Past participle
traped in
have + pp
-ing form
traping in
continuous
Hear "trap in" in the wild
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Other ways to say "trap in"
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