kidnap

Everyday

1. (law) To take a person away by force or by tricking them, and keep them against their will, often to demand money. tree →
2. (noun, UK) The crime of kidnapping. tree →

In the lessons

In safety lessons children learn to stay with trusted adults, never go off with strangers, and tell someone if anyone tries to take them; in stories and news, kidnapping is a serious crime and often the start of an adventure or mystery. In law, kidnapping is punished with long prison sentences. Phrases: kidnap someone, a kidnap attempt, held for ransom.

Examples

• The villain planned to kidnap the princess. tree →
• Never get into a stranger's car, even if they say your mum sent them. tree →
• The police rescued the kidnapped boy within a day. tree →
• The kidnappers asked for a ransom of one million dollars. tree →
• In the book, pirates kidnap the hero and take him to sea. tree →
• The news reported a failed kidnap attempt. tree →
• My little brother «kidnapped» my teddy, but I got it back! tree →
• “Captain,” said Smee, “could we not kidnap these boys’ mother and make her our mother?” tree →

Note

Spelling: double «p» in kidnapped, kidnapping, kidnapper in UK English (US sometimes single «p»). A kidnapper is the criminal; the money demanded is a ransom. Joking use about toys or pets is common among children. Not related to «kid» meaning a goat in its use today, though «kid» = child.