Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of noun trip_wire

2 senses of trip wire

Sense 1
trip wire -- (a small military force that serves as a first line of defense; if they become engaged in hostilities it will trigger the intervention of stronger military forces)
       => military unit, military force, military group, force -- (a unit that is part of some military service; "he sent Caesar a force of six thousand men")

Sense 2
trip wire -- (a wire stretched close to the ground that activates something (a trap or camera or weapon) when tripped over)
       => wire -- (ligament made of metal and used to fasten things or make cages or fences etc)