Steel trap Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an acute intelligence (an analogy based on the well-known sharpness of steel traps)
    • he's as sharp as a steel trap
    • a mind like a steel trap
  2. noun a trap made of steel with a strong spring and sharp toothlike projections to hold the prey

WordNet


Definitions
  1. a trap for catching wild animals. It consists of two iron jaws, which close by means of a powerful steel spring when the animal disturbs the catch, or tongue, by which they are kept open.

Webster 1913