honey trap

American  

[huhn-ee-trap] / ˈhʌn iˌtræp /

Or honeytrap

noun

1. an investigative technique that tests the fidelity of a spouse or significant other by attempting to lure them into a romantic or sexual liaison.

   The private eye used a classic honey trap to get evidence that her husband was cheating.

2. a scenario in espionage whereby an agent enters into a romantic or sexual relationship with a civilian and seeks to leverage that intimacy to coerce or blackmail the target or to discover secret information.

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Etymology

Origin of honey trap

First recorded in 1970–75; popularized by John le Carré in his novel Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy ( 1974 )

Example Sentences

Whether the women or the Chhabras sprang the honey trap was never clear.

From Slate

Some suggest that baiting people into revealing secrets is just another, more modern version of a honey trap.

From BBC

It starts with a literary honey trap: Vanner’s novel about the Rasks is the sort of faux-Whartonian confection that relies heavily on descriptions of polished wood and unpolished manners: snobbery and snubbery.

From Los Angeles Times

“It’s a honey trap,” he added.

From New York Times

Ultimately, "LuLaRich" explores how LuLaRoe used women's empowerment language as a honey trap to ensnare thousands of women and mothers, even as its founders deny allegations that it's a pyramid scheme to this day.

From Salon