26984 words

bait

9 definitions • 11 examples
1
a small amount of food on a hook (= curved piece of wire) or in a special device used to attract and catch a fish or animal:

Examples:

They were digging up worms to use for bait.
We put down some poisoned bait to kill the rats.
2
something that is said or offered to people in order to make them react in a particular way:

Examples:

Free holidays were offered as bait to customers.
3
to intentionally make a person angry by saying or doing things to annoy them:

Examples:

Ignore him - he's just baiting you.
I suspect he was just baiting me.
4

Examples:

We used to bait bears and make children work in mines, but nobody wants to return to those days, do they?
5
to put food on a hook (= curved piece of wire) or in a special device to attract and catch a fish or animal:

Examples:

Do you have any stale cheese that I can bait the mousetrap with?
6
a small amount of food used to attract and catch a fish or animal:

Examples:

The fishermen bought some worms to use as bait.
7
fig. Bait is also anything used to persuade someone to do something:

Examples:

Lawyers making the investment offering will find out today whether someone is ready to take the bait.
8
put bait on a hook or in a trap:

Examples:

You can bait the mousetrap with a piece of cheese.
9
to intentionally make someone angry by saying or doing annoying things:

Examples:

She enjoys baiting her brother by teasing him about his girlfriend.

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