落(お)とし穴(あな)

おとしあな
noun
pitfall, trap, snare
abstract
1. pitfall, trap hole
A concealed hole in the ground designed to trap animals or people who step on it.
落(お)とし穴(あな)を掘(ほ)る。
To dig a pitfall trap.
子供(こども)たちが砂浜(すなはま)に落(お)とし穴(あな)を作(つく)っていた。
The children were making a pitfall trap on the beach.
動物(どうぶつ)が落(お)とし穴(あな)にはまって動(うご)けなくなった。
An animal fell into the trap and couldn't move.
2. pitfall, hidden danger, trap
A hidden risk, unexpected problem, or deceptive situation that catches someone off guard.
この契約(けいやく)には落(お)とし穴(あな)がある。
This contract has a hidden pitfall.
安(やす)い物件(ぶっけん)には落(お)とし穴(あな)があることが多(おお)い。
Cheap properties often come with hidden catches.
成功(せいこう)に見(み)えても落(お)とし穴(あな)に気(き)をつけなければならない。
Even when things look successful, you need to watch out for hidden pitfalls.

Compound of 落(お)とす (to drop) + 穴(あな) (hole). The figurative sense (hidden danger) is more common than the literal sense in everyday use.

Common patterns

Similar words

  • わな: trap, snare — can be physical or figurative
  • 陥(おとし)いれる: to trap someone, to entrap
  • 落(お)とし穴(あな) specifically implies something hidden that you don't notice until it's too late

Related Words

Synonym: 罠(わな) (trap, snare)
Compare: 陥穽(かんせい) (pitfall)
Compare: 術中(じゅっちゅう) (trap)
general
Added 2026.2.11 21:59 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
10500/10923_otoshiana