Have a Mind Like a Steel Trap

Also: Have a mind as sharp as a steel trap

Meaning of Idiom ‘Have a Mind Like a Steel Trap’

To have a mind like a steel trapĀ is to be able to understand things very quickly; to be able to think very quickly; to be very clearminded and intelligent. 1,2,3


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Examples Of Use

“Sure, Arthur is old but he has a mind like a steel trap.”

“I can’t believe you remember that,” said Ted’s mother. “You were only four years old.” “A mind like a steel trap!” replied Ted.

“To do this job require constant thought and the ability to juggle several tasks at once. You need a mind like a steel trap.”

Origin

Used since at least the early 1900s.

This idiom relates the sharp jaws of an animal trap snapping shut to a quick and agile mind. 4

More Idioms Starting with H

More Have Idioms

More Mind Idioms

More Steel Idioms

More Thought/Thinking Related Idioms

More Trap Idioms

References
  1. Ammer, Christine. American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2013.
  2. Heacock, Paul. Cambridge Dictionary of American Idioms]. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 2010.
  3. Spears, Richard A. McGraw-Hill’s American Idioms Dictionary. Boston: McGraw Hill, 2008.
  4. Ammer, Christine. American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2013.