ensnare

ensnare (someone or something) in (something)

1. Literally, to catch someone or something, as a trap. If we can't ensnare an animal in this trap, we're not going to eat tonight.
2. To trap or involve oneself or someone in something troubling, such as an issue, problem, or scandal. A noun or pronoun can be used between "ensnare" and "in." The other candidates ensnared the politicians in petty debates, and he was never able to make his point. Our father's lack of a will has ensnared my brothers and me in many lawsuits over his estate.
See also: ensnare
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

ensnare someone or something in something

 
1. . Lit. to capture someone or something in something. Dave ensnared the rabbit in his trap. Henry ensnared himself in the trap they had laid for deer.
2. Fig. to catch or "trap" someone in an act or pattern of deception. She sought to ensnare him in his own framework of lies. He ensnared himself in his many lies.
See also: ensnare
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • ensnare (someone or something) in (something)
  • ensnare in
  • catch (someone or something) in (something)
  • catch in
  • trap (someone or something) in (something)
  • trap in
  • trapping
  • traps
  • trap
  • fall into a trap
References in periodicals archive
The stewards inquired into the apparent improvement of Ensnare compared to his previous run at Kempton on September 15, when he finished 12th, beaten ten lengths, with Musson stating the horse had benefited from the application of first-time blinkers.
Balti's Sister pays heed to make it three from four at the course
Inspector Vivienne Deering (Joanna Scanlan, above) and her team plot to ensnare the serial killer.
TUESDAY JUNE 2; CHOICE
Her trial attracted nationwide attention with her described as a "ruthless woman who set out to ensnare every man she met".
The wicked wife, her two lovers and the 'love killing' which shocked Teesside; ON day three of our Murders of the Seventies series, Crime Reporter SOPHIE BARLEY revisits one of era's most chilling murders - the 1977 "love killing" of Brian Chapman by his "femme fatale" wife Kalinda
My advice to all drivers this Christmas is to boycott areas of the city likely to have cameras located near bus lanes to ensnare the driver.
Callous of council to trap motorists
Summary: An affluent woman, who stands accused of five cases of stealing Dh200,000 worth of jewellery, said she took the pieces unconsciously, after a jewellery salesman helped police ensnare her.
5 cases against nimble-fingered rich woman
BOOKMAKERS were saved from an estimated pounds 1 million payout last night when Ensnare, trained by John Butler, who had saddled Stand Guard and All About You to win earlier in the day, could finish only tenth in the 1m handicap at Kempton.
All-weather coup comes unstuck in concluding leg
With two drummers they're out to ensnare you with this, but there's a worryingly Adam Ant-style tumble to it all.
Singles
Avon tries to ensnare Marlo in a trap, but his rival senses something is wrong.
Pick of the day
STEVE Donohoe's 800-mile trek around Britain was well rewarded when Ensnare gave him his third winner in 36 hours in the totesuper7 Handicap at Ayr yesterday.
800-mile trip pays off for Donohoe
When MaryAnn, a counselor for battered women, dares to venture into South America to offer guidance to a brutalized young woman, she walks unawares into a remorseless trap--Manolito waits to ensnare her with seductive, predatory power.
Dark Possession
Many of the basiji, who operate under the control of the Interior Ministry, are attractive young men who use Internet chat rooms to post their pictures and ensnare gay men.
Iran's solution for gays: under the direction of ultraconservative president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the Islamic Republic of Iran, gays and lesbians are being tortured and executed like never before
And they have set out to target young people - some still children - and ensnare them in their disgusting campaign of hate and violence.
VOICE OF THE SUNDAY Mirror: Stop these Nazi thugs
Andrew Jones, 44, was living in a probation hostel in Walsall when he tried to ensnare the 15 year-old boy from Tenbury Wells.
Perv posed as web girl
"I Capture The Castle" is a period romance about two young English sisters, living in aristocratic poverty, who set out to ensnare two rich American brothers in marriage.
IAC lands Carmichael, carriers pic to Cannes. (`Castle' Keep)
Adkins suffered from depression, a mental illness that can ensnare a person in gloom and sadness for days, weeks or even years.
Mental Health Breakthrough