How do we express "hidden bad surprises" in correct English?

Question

I would like to say something in the sense of

Someone who includes on purpose bad surprises or traps in their product.

The topic of the text is about honesty and I want to highlight that people should avoid the above. Is there an expression for this in English?

Do you mean a commercial product? I can't imagine what kind of thing you have in mind. — Kate Bunting, Sep 24 '22 at 07:50
Yes. I mean if all people were honest in everything they did (including their work), things would be much better. — The Normal Guy, Sep 24 '22 at 08:16
One "commercial product" that comes to mind here is Monty Python's Spring Surprise** :) But (unlike the stereotypical sausage maker) the Python's confectioner was completely honest about the ingredients of his "Crunchy Frog" sweetie! — FumbleFingers, Sep 24 '22 at 11:15
Are you asking for a term for the "bad surprises" or for the person (bad actor, snake oil salesman) putting them there? — Showsni, Sep 24 '22 at 11:21
A booby trap would be a word for the bad surprise, but I think the OP is asking for a person. I can't find "booby trapper" in dictionaries, but you might use it anyway. — Stuart F, Sep 24 '22 at 16:46
... it’s a great piece of software but there are a few gotchas* in there if you don’t know what you’re doing.* — Jim, Sep 24 '22 at 19:43
@FumbleFingers - The part that that I always liked was the *lightly killed*. — Jim, Sep 24 '22 at 19:45
@Showsni I'm asking whether there is an expression implying "deceiving". But I think I can use a simple sentence with booby trap. Thanks! — The Normal Guy, Sep 26 '22 at 07:20

score 0 · Accepted Answer · answered Sep 24 '22 at 09:58

0

Kindly look at these 3 answered questions. Though not exact duplicates, you will find many useful words in the answers.

Something appears valuable or precious but it isn't, symbolically equivalent to Pyrite?

Common phrases for something that appears good but is actually bad

Word or saying for something that isn't as good as people say it is

I especially liked "snake oil", "hollow bunny" and "embellished"

answered Sep 24 '22 at 09:58

banuyayi

1,900

Thank you Banuyayi. This is helpful. – The Normal Guy Sep 26 '22 at 07:20

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Nov 08 '22 at 11:27

"The fine print" is a way of saying "nasty surprise". It refers to a clause or disclaimer written into a contract, usually in tiny text, that is likely to be displeasing or unacceptable to the potentially agreeing party.

"Had I read the fine print I would not have been taken advantage of."

"You'd better read the fine print before you agree to marry that man."

How do we express "hidden bad surprises" in correct English?

2 Answers2