Living things value freedom. Nobody wants to be under someone else’s power, follow the slightest instructions, ask for permission for basic things and not be able to choose their own path. Therefore, a person who wants to catch someone for personal purposes is forced to develop complex plans, invent devices. And the capture device is a trap. But the term has other meanings.
On the hunting trail
Why did man initially need difficult ways to catch animals and birds? A wild animal is ready to fight to the last, especially if it is wounded. Therefore, it is much safer to enclose beaters and dogs from direct contact with the object. Dig a special hole with stakes, install a cage, a snare. A lot of options - for each there is its own. The term under study splits into two synonyms:
The hunter is greeted by a carcass that is already ready for cutting or a dying predator, which it can handle even with minimal skills. Of particular importance was the word "trap" for hunters whose interest were songbirds. After all, you need to catch birds and not harm them.
In military affairs
The principle is obvious, because of which the inhabitants adapted it both for everyday needs and for designating non-standard strategic decisions in the event of a conflict with neighboring states. A military leader under a capacious definition means:
Lure the enemy army into the lowland for shelling with artillery, cut off the army from supplies or withdraw and capture the command staff - there are a lot of historical examples. And what to do in peacetime? Residents of the 21st century rarely encounter armed confrontation in person. A different value system dictates its own rules, throws up dangers at every step:
loan agreement terms in small print;
implicit interest and imposed additional services;
automatically connected and price-increasing mobile options;
adding dog meat to ground beef, etc.
All this is a trap for modern man. Moreover, the hostages of the situation are individuals or entire families, financial situation or physical health, property or social status. It is not easy to get out of a risky situation, that's why they gave him such a name.
Simple rule
Do not forget to use the experience of previous generations, seek help on the Internet. Do not trust tempting and overly generous offers even from acquaintances. Then for you, a colorful word will remain just an interesting linguistic fact.