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* In ''Literature/DiaryOfAWimpyKidTheUglyTruth'', Greg does this prank on Rowley's dad.
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* In ''Literature/DiaryOfAWimpyKidTheUglyTruth'', ''Literature/DiaryOfAWimpyKid'': Greg does this prank on Rowley's dad.dad in several books, tripping him with a wire while he's walking home. He doesn't understand why Rowley's dad doesn't find it funny.
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* ''WesternAnimation/MyLifeAsATeenageRobot'': In "Pest Control", Vladimir and the other lab rats take over Jenny's body, leaving Jenny's head to take control of Tuck's RC car. Jenny tricks Vladimir into chasing her towards Dr. Wakeman's swimming pool. As she jumps off a ramp and lands just outside the pool, Brad, Tuck, and Dr. Wakeman hold out a rope while hiding behind the bushes near the pool to trip Vladimir in Jenny's body, causing said body to land in the pool and trapping Vladimir and the other lab rats.
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actually this one is a proper example
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* Famously used by the Ewoks in ''Film/ReturnOfTheJedi'' to take down Imperial [=AT-STs=].
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Compare BoobyTrap where a rope is used to trigger some kind of deadly mechanism. See HobblingTheGiant when a giant character is being incapacitated by restricting their movement. Also see BananaPeel, SlipperySkid and PullingTheRugOut for other ways to topple an opponent.
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Compare BoobyTrap where a rope is used to trigger some kind of deadly mechanism. See HobblingTheGiant when a giant character is being incapacitated by restricting their movement. Also see BananaPeel, SlipperySkid SlipperySkid, HobblingTheGiant and PullingTheRugOut for other ways to topple an opponent.
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these are examples of Hobbling The Giant
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* In ''Film/TheEmpireStrikesBack'', the Rebel Alliance would use tow cables to "hog-tie" AT-ATs, leaving them vulnerable to fire.
* Famously used by the Ewoks in ''Film/ReturnOfTheJedi'' to take down Imperial AT-STs.
* Famously used by the Ewoks in ''Film/ReturnOfTheJedi'' to take down Imperial AT-STs.
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DontTryThisAtHome, even as a prank. A fall can [[DeathByFallingOver very easily break someone's head or neck]] if they land the wrong way.
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DontTryThisAtHome, even as a prank. A fall can very easily [[DeathByFallingOver very easily break someone's head or neck]] if they land the wrong way.
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DontTryThisAtHome, even as a prank. A fall can very easily break someone's head or neck if they land the wrong way.
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DontTryThisAtHome, even as a prank. A fall can [[DeathByFallingOver very easily break someone's head or neck neck]] if they land the wrong way.
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Added content.
DontTryThisAtHome, even as a prank. A fall can very easily break someone's head or neck if they land the wrong way.
* In ''Film/TheEmpireStrikesBack'', the Rebel Alliance would use tow cables to "hog-tie" AT-ATs, leaving them vulnerable to fire.
* Famously used by the Ewoks in ''Film/ReturnOfTheJedi'' to take down Imperial AT-STs.
* Famously used by the Ewoks in ''Film/ReturnOfTheJedi'' to take down Imperial AT-STs.
* A very common trap trigger in ''VideoGame/Fallout3'', ''VideoGame/Fallout4'' and ''VideoGame/FalloutNewVegas.'' Usually linked to bombs or strung-up grenades.
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** Interestingly, tripwires have been used as emergency killswitches for conveyor belts to avoid damage or injury.
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** Fortunately, in 1993, SFC David B. Chandler found an interesting way to find tripwires without setting them off. The solution? ''Silly-String.''
* Interestingly, tripwires have been used for non-violent purposes asemergency killswitches for conveyor belts to avoid damage or injury.in industrial settings. Particularly in those involving conveyer belts.
* Interestingly, tripwires have been used for non-violent purposes as
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[[folder:Real Life]]
* This is a very common trigger for explosive booby traps and has been used extensively by insurgents and terrorist groups during the Iraq War.
** Interestingly, tripwires have been used as emergency killswitches for conveyor belts to avoid damage or injury.
[[/folder]]
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-->'''Hatsuharu''': (''addressing the audience'') By the way, what I just did was extremely dangerous, and had this been anyone other than Kyo they would've been seriously hurt, so DontTryThisAtHome.
-->'''Kyo''': ''DON'T TRY IT HERE!'' [[AudienceWhatAudience Who are you even talking to?!]]
-->'''Kyo''': ''DON'T TRY IT HERE!'' [[AudienceWhatAudience Who are you even talking to?!]]
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Adding Puppet Shows folder and an example.
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[[folder:Puppet Shows]]
* In the ''Series/{{Dinosaurs}}'' episode, "[[Recap/DinosaursS02E07WhenFoodGoesBad When Food Goes Bad]]", two of [[ItCameFromTheFridge the creatures from the refrigerator]] do this to Robbie when he runs across the hallway after tricking him into thinking that Charlene is in danger.
[[/folder]]
* In the ''Series/{{Dinosaurs}}'' episode, "[[Recap/DinosaursS02E07WhenFoodGoesBad When Food Goes Bad]]", two of [[ItCameFromTheFridge the creatures from the refrigerator]] do this to Robbie when he runs across the hallway after tricking him into thinking that Charlene is in danger.
[[/folder]]
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* ''ComicBook/WonderWoman1942'': Hypnota sets of a tripwire on an iced-over lake as a death trap, and when Diana trips over it she's sent through the thin ice.
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* ''ComicBook/WonderWoman1942'': ''Franchise/WonderWoman'' [[ComicBook/WonderWoman1942 Vol 1]]: Hypnota sets of a tripwire on an iced-over lake as a death trap, and when Diana trips over it she's sent through the thin ice.
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** The gang tries this in "Hassle In The Castle" to catch the phantom of the episode in one of [[RubeGoldbergHatesYourGuts Fred's traps]], but they wind up catching Scooby in it instead.
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* The Franchise/ScoobyDoo gang uses this to capture the faux ghost in Jefferson Stillwall's attic in "Haunted House Hang-Up." Fred and Shaggy get the ghost (who turns out to be Stillwall's greedy neighbor Asha Shanks) to chase him out the front door while Daphne and Velma use a rope to trip him up.
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* ''Film/HudsonHawk''. During the theft of the Sforza (horse statue), two guards go after Eddie and Tommy. Tommy runs to one side and pulls on a rope, causing the guards to trip on it and fall down.
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* ''ComicBook/WonderWoman1942'': Hypnota sets of a trip wire on an iced over lake as a death trap, and when Diana trips over it she's sent through the thin ice.
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* ''ComicBook/WonderWoman1942'': Hypnota sets of a trip wire tripwire on an iced over iced-over lake as a death trap, and when Diana trips over it she's sent through the thin ice.
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* ''Fanfic/AgreementAndDisputation''. A variant. Watson trips a trio of petty crooks by tossing his cane into the legs of the foremost, causing him to fall. The others can't adjust in time and in turn trip over him.
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* ''Fanfic/AgreementAndDisputation''. A variant.variant occurs in ''Fanfic/AgreementAndDisputation''. Watson trips a trio of petty crooks by tossing his cane into the legs of the foremost, causing him to fall. The others can't adjust in time and [[HumanTrafficJam in turn trip over him.him]].
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[[folder: Fanfic]]
* ''Fanfic/AgreementAndDisputation''. A variant. Watson trips a trio of petty crooks by tossing his cane into the legs of the foremost, causing him to fall. The others can't adjust in time and in turn trip over him.
[[/folder]]
* ''Fanfic/AgreementAndDisputation''. A variant. Watson trips a trio of petty crooks by tossing his cane into the legs of the foremost, causing him to fall. The others can't adjust in time and in turn trip over him.
[[/folder]]
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* In the ''Series/StarTrekTheOriginalSeries'' episode "A piece of the Action", Kirk places a wire from a dismantled radio above the ground across the door, starts yelling and two guards come rushing in and trip.
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* In the ''Series/StarTrekTheOriginalSeries'' episode "A piece Piece of the Action", Kirk places a wire from a dismantled radio above the ground across the door, starts yelling and two guards come rushing in and trip.
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* In the ''The Incredible WesternAnimation/DennisTheMenace'' episode, "Hospitality", Dennis is sent to the hospital for a [[TheTonsillitisEpisode tonsillectomy]], but since he is afraid of getting an operation, he sets up this kind of trap in his hospital room so the surgeons can't sneak up on him and operate on him when he least expects it. When Mr. Wilson comes to Dennis' hospital room to drop off a tin of ice cream that his wife made for Dennis, he trips on Dennis' trap and falls down the stairs, injuring his leg and getting himself hospitalized as a result. To make matters worse for Mr. Wilson, he has to share a hospital room with Dennis.
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* ''Film/TheFieldGuideToEvil'': In "Beware the Melon Heads", Chris trips over a tripwire set by the Melon Heads and slams his head into a rock: leaving him easy prey for the cannibal children.
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* ''Film/TheFieldGuideToEvil'': In "Beware the Melon Heads", Melonheads", Chris trips over a tripwire set by the Melon Heads Melonheads and slams his head into a rock: leaving him easy prey for the cannibal children.
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* ''Film/TheFieldGuideToEvil'': In "Beware the Melon Heads", Chris trips over a tripwire set by the Melon Heads and slams his head into a rock: leaving him easy prey for the cannibal children.
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[[folder:Comic Books]]
* ''ComicBook/WonderWoman1942'': Hypnota sets of a trip wire on an iced over lake as a death trap, and when Diana trips over it she's sent through the thin ice.
[[/folder]]
* ''ComicBook/WonderWoman1942'': Hypnota sets of a trip wire on an iced over lake as a death trap, and when Diana trips over it she's sent through the thin ice.
[[/folder]]
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* ''WesternAnimation/FunAndFancyFree'': During the climax of ''Mickey and the Beanstalk'', Mickey uses a vine to trip Willie the Giant while he and his friends escape with the Magic Harp.
* ''WesternAnimation/{{The Jungle Book|1967}}'': When Baloo tries to save Mowgli from being kidnapped by monkeys, two monkeys stretch a vine to trip him and make him fall down a cliff.
* ''WesternAnimation/{{The Jungle Book|1967}}'': When Baloo tries to save Mowgli from being kidnapped by monkeys, two monkeys stretch a vine to trip him and make him fall down a cliff.
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* ''WesternAnimation/{{The Jungle Book|1967}}'': When Baloo tries to save Mowgli from being kidnapped by monkeys, two monkeys stretch a vine to trip him and make him fall down a cliff.
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* In the [[Literature/ProtectoroftheSmall Protector of the Small]] book Squire, Kel sets one of these.
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* In the [[Literature/ProtectoroftheSmall ''[[Literature/ProtectoroftheSmall Protector of the Small]] Small]]'' book Squire, ''Squire'', Kel sets one of these.
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* ''Series/DoctorWho''. The Fourth Doctor does this with his famous scarf in "The Hand of Fear". Eldrad comes charging after the Doctor and Sarah Jane, fails to see a thick multicolored scarf stretched across his path and stumbles into a BottomlessPit.
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* In the [[Literature/ProtectoroftheSmall Protector of the Small]] book Squire, Kel sets one of these.
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* ''WesternAnimation/{{The Jungle Book|1967}}'': When Baloo tries to save Mowlgi from being kidnapped by monkeys, two monkeys stretch a vine to trip him and make him fall down a cliff.
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* ''WesternAnimation/{{The Jungle Book|1967}}'': When Baloo tries to save Mowlgi Mowgli from being kidnapped by monkeys, two monkeys stretch a vine to trip him and make him fall down a cliff.
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Adding folders.
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[[AC:Anime & Manga]]
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[[folder:Anime & Manga]]
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[[AC:Asian Animation]]
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[[folder:Asian Animation]]
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[[AC: Films - Animated]]
* In ''Disney/TheRescuers'', Bernard and Bianca stretch a rope across the door sill which makes [[BigBad Madame Medusa]] trip as she backs out of the room.
* ''Disney/TheJungleBook'': When Baloo tries to save Mowlgi from being kidnapped by monkeys, two monkeys stretch a vine to trip him and make him fall down a cliff.
[[AC: Films - Live-Action]]
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[[folder:Films -- Animation]]
* In
*
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[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]
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[[AC: Live-Action TV]]
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[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
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[[AC: Literature]]
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[[folder:Literature]]
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[[AC:Tabletop Games]]
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[[folder:Tabletop Games]]
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[[AC: Video Games]]
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[[folder:Video Games]]
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[[AC: Western Animation]]
* ''WesternAnimation/SpongebobSquarepants'': In the episode "Ugh", when the prehistoric versions of Spongebob, Squidward and Patrick are fighting over the burning log, Squidward trips an unknowing Patrick on the run with his legs while hiding in the bushes.
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[[folder:Western Animation]]
*
[[/folder]]
----
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* In ''Film/{{Dadnapped}}'', [[spoiler:Merv]] is finally defeated when [[spoiler:Maurice and Skunk]] trip him into a pile of sludge, using a string of floss in his path.
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* The Creator/HowardHawks classic Western ''Film/RioBravo'' uses this to take down [[Creator/JohnWayne Sheriff John T. Chance]] to set up the final act. As the Mook who sets it tells Chance, once the latter recovers consciousness, the only reason it's NOT a DeathTrap is because the BigBad has [[VillainBall given orders]] not to [[WhyDontYouJustShootHim gun down the lawman where he lay.]] Yes, [[spoiler: the villain comes to regret this.]]
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Created from YKTTW
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[[quoteright:350:[[WesternAnimation/TheRescuers https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/rope_trap.jpg]]]]
A sneaky way of making your opponent lose their balance and fall is to stretch a cord across their path and wait until they run into it. Usually the cord is placed at a low angle to prevent the trap from being discovered.
This happens a lot in cartoons, particularly old ones where it's PlayedForLaughs but it can also be used as a DeathTrap in more serious works.
Compare BoobyTrap where a rope is used to trigger some kind of deadly mechanism. See HobblingTheGiant when a giant character is being incapacitated by restricting their movement. Also see BananaPeel, SlipperySkid and PullingTheRugOut for other ways to topple an opponent.
----
!!Examples:
[[AC:Anime & Manga]]
* ''Manga/FruitsBasket'' has a scene where Hatsuharu Sohma wants to speak with Kyo Sohma, who is currently running a marathon. He stops him by holding a piece of string across the race path and trips him.
* In ''Manga/KemonoJihen'', Shiki draws out a line of silk to trip Kabane on his way to the bath to interrogate him. It's so sticky that it would be impossible for Kabane to free himself without tearing the skin off. But given that he FeelsNoPain and has a powerful HealingFactor, he does just that, freaking Shiki out.
[[AC:Asian Animation]]
* One episode of ''Animation/{{Lamput}}'' has Lamput stretch himself into a shape similar to a rope or tripwire to make Fat Doc trip.
[[AC: Films - Animated]]
* In ''Disney/TheRescuers'', Bernard and Bianca stretch a rope across the door sill which makes [[BigBad Madame Medusa]] trip as she backs out of the room.
* ''Disney/TheJungleBook'': When Baloo tries to save Mowlgi from being kidnapped by monkeys, two monkeys stretch a vine to trip him and make him fall down a cliff.
[[AC: Films - Live-Action]]
* In ''Film/HomeAlone'', Kevin makes one of the invaders trip over a rope taut across the upper corridor.
* In the horror film ''Film/TheBabadook'', Samuel trips his possessed mother this way when she is on the stairs leading to the basement where he was hiding. He stretches the rope, she trips and hits her head on a wall which makes her dizzy and an easy target for Samuel to [[PercussivePrevention knock her out]].
[[AC: Live-Action TV]]
* In the ''Series/CriminalMinds'' episode "Zoe's Reprise", this is mentioned as the methodology the Bike Path Rapist used to start his assault on his victims.
* In the ''Series/StarTrekTheOriginalSeries'' episode "A piece of the Action", Kirk places a wire from a dismantled radio above the ground across the door, starts yelling and two guards come rushing in and trip.
[[AC: Literature]]
* In the Literature/HerculePoirot novel ''Literature/DumbWitness'', the victim is believed to have fallen down a staircase after tripping over a dog's chewtoy. Poirot, however, discovers the remains of a tripwire on the top step, a clue that points to murder.
* In ''Literature/DiaryOfAWimpyKidTheUglyTruth'', Greg does this prank on Rowley's dad.
[[AC:Tabletop Games]]
* In ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'', ''Magazine/{{Dungeon}}'' magazine #14 adventure "Master of Puppets", the entry stairs to the abandoned shrine have a tripwire strung across the bottom of the stairs, 6 inches above the last step down. Any PlayerCharacter running or walking into it must make a Dexterity check at -4 or fall down, taking 1-4 HitPoints of damage and being stunned for 2-5 minutes.
[[AC: Video Games]]
* A useful hunting tool in ''VideoGame/HorizonZeroDawn'', particularly against the powerful robotic Thunder Maws. You can even upgrade the tripwire so that it will explode and cause fire damage to your prey.
[[AC: Western Animation]]
* ''WesternAnimation/SpongebobSquarepants'': In the episode "Ugh", when the prehistoric versions of Spongebob, Squidward and Patrick are fighting over the burning log, Squidward trips an unknowing Patrick on the run with his legs while hiding in the bushes.
A sneaky way of making your opponent lose their balance and fall is to stretch a cord across their path and wait until they run into it. Usually the cord is placed at a low angle to prevent the trap from being discovered.
This happens a lot in cartoons, particularly old ones where it's PlayedForLaughs but it can also be used as a DeathTrap in more serious works.
Compare BoobyTrap where a rope is used to trigger some kind of deadly mechanism. See HobblingTheGiant when a giant character is being incapacitated by restricting their movement. Also see BananaPeel, SlipperySkid and PullingTheRugOut for other ways to topple an opponent.
----
!!Examples:
[[AC:Anime & Manga]]
* ''Manga/FruitsBasket'' has a scene where Hatsuharu Sohma wants to speak with Kyo Sohma, who is currently running a marathon. He stops him by holding a piece of string across the race path and trips him.
* In ''Manga/KemonoJihen'', Shiki draws out a line of silk to trip Kabane on his way to the bath to interrogate him. It's so sticky that it would be impossible for Kabane to free himself without tearing the skin off. But given that he FeelsNoPain and has a powerful HealingFactor, he does just that, freaking Shiki out.
[[AC:Asian Animation]]
* One episode of ''Animation/{{Lamput}}'' has Lamput stretch himself into a shape similar to a rope or tripwire to make Fat Doc trip.
[[AC: Films - Animated]]
* In ''Disney/TheRescuers'', Bernard and Bianca stretch a rope across the door sill which makes [[BigBad Madame Medusa]] trip as she backs out of the room.
* ''Disney/TheJungleBook'': When Baloo tries to save Mowlgi from being kidnapped by monkeys, two monkeys stretch a vine to trip him and make him fall down a cliff.
[[AC: Films - Live-Action]]
* In ''Film/HomeAlone'', Kevin makes one of the invaders trip over a rope taut across the upper corridor.
* In the horror film ''Film/TheBabadook'', Samuel trips his possessed mother this way when she is on the stairs leading to the basement where he was hiding. He stretches the rope, she trips and hits her head on a wall which makes her dizzy and an easy target for Samuel to [[PercussivePrevention knock her out]].
[[AC: Live-Action TV]]
* In the ''Series/CriminalMinds'' episode "Zoe's Reprise", this is mentioned as the methodology the Bike Path Rapist used to start his assault on his victims.
* In the ''Series/StarTrekTheOriginalSeries'' episode "A piece of the Action", Kirk places a wire from a dismantled radio above the ground across the door, starts yelling and two guards come rushing in and trip.
[[AC: Literature]]
* In the Literature/HerculePoirot novel ''Literature/DumbWitness'', the victim is believed to have fallen down a staircase after tripping over a dog's chewtoy. Poirot, however, discovers the remains of a tripwire on the top step, a clue that points to murder.
* In ''Literature/DiaryOfAWimpyKidTheUglyTruth'', Greg does this prank on Rowley's dad.
[[AC:Tabletop Games]]
* In ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'', ''Magazine/{{Dungeon}}'' magazine #14 adventure "Master of Puppets", the entry stairs to the abandoned shrine have a tripwire strung across the bottom of the stairs, 6 inches above the last step down. Any PlayerCharacter running or walking into it must make a Dexterity check at -4 or fall down, taking 1-4 HitPoints of damage and being stunned for 2-5 minutes.
[[AC: Video Games]]
* A useful hunting tool in ''VideoGame/HorizonZeroDawn'', particularly against the powerful robotic Thunder Maws. You can even upgrade the tripwire so that it will explode and cause fire damage to your prey.
[[AC: Western Animation]]
* ''WesternAnimation/SpongebobSquarepants'': In the episode "Ugh", when the prehistoric versions of Spongebob, Squidward and Patrick are fighting over the burning log, Squidward trips an unknowing Patrick on the run with his legs while hiding in the bushes.
