spring a trap

spring a/the trap

To initiate, instigate, or execute a plan to secretly or deceptively take advantage of someone or something. The undercover agent waited until money had been exchanged before springing the trap.
See also: spring, trap
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

spring a ˈtrap


1 make a trap for catching animals close suddenly
2 try to trick somebody into doing or saying something; succeed in this: The burglars were arrested after the police sprung a trap on them last night.
See also: spring, trap
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • spring a/the trap
  • strike up
  • strike up a friendship
  • take the initiative
  • open (up) a can of worms
  • open up a can of worms
  • move for
  • move for (something)
  • don't trouble trouble till trouble troubles you
  • launch against
References in periodicals archive
investors who were investing in foreign (rather than domestic) investment funds, the PFIC regime can spring a trap on a different group of unsuspecting investors: foreign nationals.
Foreign national tax planning to avoid PFIC trap