BAIT Meaning and
Definition
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Bait, typically used as a noun, refers to any type of food, object, or substance that is used to attract or entice an animal or person into a particular action or situation. The purpose of bait is to lure the target towards it, often for the intention of capturing, trapping, hunting, or potentially harming the target in some way.
In the context of fishing, bait generally refers to a variety of materials such as live or dead animals, worms, insects, or other edible substances that are placed on a hook or trap to attract fish. It is the primary means of persuading fish to bite or strike at the baited hook.
Additionally, bait can also be used figuratively, involving a situation or scenario created to attract someone with the intention of taking advantage of them or manipulating them. In this sense, the bait may be in the form of promises, rewards, or false information, with the aim of getting the person to do something they otherwise may not have done willingly.
The term 'bait' can also be used as a verb, referring to the action of placing or using bait to attract someone or something. In this case, it signifies the act of deliberately setting the trap or enticing another individual.
Overall, bait is a tool or method employed to allure, deceive, attract, or capture a target, whether it be an animal or a person, typically involving the use of enticing substances or situations.
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• Any substance put on a hook to entice fish to swallow it; anything to allure or entice; refreshment taken on a journey.
• To allure by food; to give food or drink to a beast on a journey; to refresh with food on a journey.
• To provoke and harass with the help of others; to attack with violence, as with dogs.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for BAIT
Etymology of BAIT
The word "bait" can be traced back to Old Norse, an ancient North Germanic language spoken by the inhabitants of Scandinavia during the Viking Age (9th to 13th centuries). In Old Norse, the word "beita" meant "food" or "pasture". It also had a verb form, "beita", which meant "to cause to bite" or "to harry" in terms of both baiting livestock and baiting enemies. Over time, the word "beita" was adopted into Old English, eventually evolving into the word "bait" that we use today.
Idioms with the word BAIT
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fish or cut bait
The idiom "fish or cut bait" means to either take action and contribute actively to a task or situation or step aside and allow others to do so. It implies that if a person is not willing to participate or make a meaningful effort, they should remove themselves from the situation.
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take the bait
The idiom "take the bait" means to fall into a trap, willingly or unknowingly, by reacting to or engaging with bait or provocation. It implies that someone is being lured or manipulated into a situation or argument by taking the bait and responding as intended by the person who set the trap.
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cut bait
The idiom "cut bait" typically refers to the act of abandoning or giving up on a current course of action or endeavor in order to pursue a different, potentially more promising one. It suggests making a decisive and often difficult choice to discontinue what is not working or yielding desired results, and instead focusing time and resources on a new direction or endeavor. The phrase originates from fishing, where "cutting bait" means to abandon a fishing location and move to another spot if there is no success in catching fish.
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shark bait
The idiom "shark bait" refers to someone or something that is vulnerable, defenseless, or in a dangerous situation where they are likely to be taken advantage of or harmed. It often implies that the person or thing is an easy target for exploitation or aggression. This idiom is derived from the predatory nature of sharks, known for their ability to attack and consume weaker or unsuspecting prey.
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bait and switch
The idiom "bait and switch" refers to a deceptive tactic commonly used in sales or advertising. It involves enticing a person with an attractive or desirable offer (bait), but then, once the person is committed or interested, replacing the offer with something less desirable or acceptable (switch). The purpose is to manipulate or deceive the person into accepting or purchasing something different from what was initially presented.
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swallow/take the bait
The idiom "swallow/take the bait" means to be tricked or manipulated by someone's words or actions, typically by falling for their provocation or deception. It refers to the idea of a fish taking the bait on a fishing line, becoming hooked and ultimately caught. In a broader sense, it implies being lured into a situation or argument that ultimately leads to a negative outcome for the person who fell for it.
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swallow the bait
The idiom "swallow the bait" refers to a person falling for a trick or being deceived by someone's false statement, easily accepting or believing it without questioning its legitimacy. It implies that the person naively accepts the bait, similar to how a fish swallows the bait on a fishing hook without suspecting any ulterior motives.
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rise to the bait
To "rise to the bait" means to react or respond to provocation, usually by someone attempting to elicit a negative or emotional response. It implies getting caught up in an argument or confrontation, often against one's better judgment or self-control.
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crow bait
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get your bait back
To regain or recover something that was lost or taken.
Similar spelling words for BAIT
- batie,
- baud,
- bathe,
- bata,
- BATT,
- bawd,
- BATEY,
- batty,
- batte,
- bat,
- baht,
- Bateau,
- battie,
- bady,
- bayat,
- battue,
- bate,
- bath,
- baity,
- battey,
- bade,
- bad.
Conjugate verb Bait
CONDITIONAL PERFECT
I
would have baited
you
would have baited
he/she/it
would have baited
we
would have baited
they
would have baited
I
would have bait
you
would have bait
he/she/it
would have bait
we
would have bait
they
would have bait
CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE
I
would have been baiting
you
would have been baiting
he/she/it
would have been baiting
we
would have been baiting
they
would have been baiting
CONDITIONAL PRESENT
I
would bait
you
would bait
he/she/it
would bait
we
would bait
they
would bait
CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE
I
would be baiting
you
would be baiting
he/she/it
would be baiting
we
would be baiting
they
would be baiting
FUTURE
I
will bait
you
will bait
he/she/it
will bait
we
will bait
they
will bait
FUTURE CONTINUOUS
I
will be baiting
you
will be baiting
he/she/it
will be baiting
we
will be baiting
they
will be baiting
FUTURE PERFECT
I
will have baited
you
will have baited
he/she/it
will have baited
we
will have baited
they
will have baited
FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
will have been baiting
you
will have been baiting
he/she/it
will have been baiting
we
will have been baiting
they
will have been baiting
IMPERATIVE
you
bait
we
let´s bait
to bait
PAST CONTINUOUS
I
was baiting
you
were baiting
he/she/it
was baiting
we
were baiting
they
were baiting
PAST PARTICIPLE
baited
PAST PERFECT
I
had baited
you
had baited
he/she/it
had baited
we
had baited
they
had baited
PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
had been baiting
you
had been baiting
he/she/it
had been baiting
we
had been baiting
they
had been baiting
PRESENT
I
bait
you
bait
he/she/it
baits
we
bait
they
bait
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
I
am baiting
you
are baiting
he/she/it
is baiting
we
are baiting
they
are baiting
PRESENT PARTICIPLE
baiting
PRESENT PERFECT
I
have baited
you
have baited
he/she/it
has baited
we
have baited
they
have baited
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
have been baiting
you
have been baiting
he/she/it
has been baiting
we
have been baiting
they
have been baiting
PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE
he/she/it
bait
SIMPLE PAST
I
baited
you
baited
he/she/it
baited
we
baited
they
baited
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