1.
to fall into a trap; to be ensnared
To be caught in a trap, either literally (an animal caught in a physical trap) or figuratively (a person deceived by a scheme or trick). The figurative usage is more common.
敵の罠にはまった。
I fell into the enemy's trap.
詐欺師の罠にはまって大金を失った。
I fell for a scammer's trap and lost a large sum of money.
うまい話には裏がある。罠にはまらないように気をつけなさい。
There's always a catch behind deals that sound too good. Be careful not to fall into a trap.
PATTERN:
（～の）罠にはまる
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 敵の罠にはまる (to fall into the enemy's trap)
- 罠にはまらないように (so as not to fall into a trap)
- まんまと罠にはまる (to fall right into a trap — まんまと emphasizes being completely duped)
RELATED EXPRESSIONS:
- 罠を仕掛ける: To set a trap.
- 罠にかかる: Also means to be caught in a trap — nearly synonymous, but 罠にかかる sounds slightly more literal (like an animal being caught).
USAGE:
Very common in both everyday conversation and narrative contexts (novels, games, movies). Often used metaphorically for being deceived, scammed, or outmaneuvered.