Noun: trip wire
- A wire stretched close to the ground that activates something (a trap, camera or weapon) when tripped over
"The soldiers carefully avoided the trip wire hidden in the tall grass"
- (military) a small military force that serves as a first line of defence; if they become engaged in hostilities it will trigger the intervention of stronger military forces
"The peacekeeping force acted as a trip wire to deter aggression in the region"
Derived forms: trip wires
Type of: force, military force, military group, military unit, wire
Encyclopedia: Trip wire