rise to the bait

Idioms  

1. Be tempted by or react to an enticement, as in We told him there'd be lots of single young women at the party, and he rose to the bait. Likening a fish rising to bait to human behavior dates from the late 1500s.

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Example Sentences

Benn did not rise to the bait of Eubank, letting his promoter do most of the talking.

From BBC • Sep. 17, 2025

While Hannity may have been trying to elicit a bigger, more combative reaction from the actor, Penn did not rise to the bait.

From Salon • Apr. 7, 2022

So I say this to you—you never rise to the bait.

From Slate • Sep. 19, 2018

Even if your nearly ex is trying to play dirty, don’t rise to the bait.

From The Guardian • Jan. 14, 2017

“Better than you know,” said Tyrion, refusing to rise to the bait.

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin