tripwire

American  

[trip-wahy^uhr] / ˈtrɪpˌwaɪər /

noun

1. a wire used to set off concealed explosives, as one stretched across a footpath to be struck and activated by the foot of an enemy soldier.

2. a wire that activates a trap, camera, or other device when stepped on, tripped on, or otherwise disturbed.

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tripwire British  

/ ˈtrɪpˌwaɪə /

noun

1. a wire that activates a trap, mine, etc, when tripped over

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Etymology

Origin of tripwire

trip ¹ + wire

Example Sentences

The unsuspecting saints may be gone by the time they realize that the pedestal to which we annexed them was a cliff or tripwire trapping them in the theater of an idea of themselves.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 29, 2025

You know what else can snap the tripwire of reality?

From Slate • Jul. 24, 2023

To give time for negotiations — and keep boycotters with nine unexcused absences from hitting that 10-day tripwire — Senate President Rob Wagner agreed to cancel Senate sessions on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

From Seattle Times • May 12, 2023

They are set up to act as a tripwire and buy time by holding off any assault until reinforcements arrive.

From Reuters • Feb. 22, 2022

There was nothing to attach a tripwire to that looked like it would cover anything.

From "Fallen Angels" by Walter Dean Myers