Italian mousetrap
Italian mousetrap (noun, humorous/pejorative):
A mousetrap distinguished by its high price, elaborate design, and complete inability to catch mice; often alleged to improve the comfort, confidence, and reproductive success of the local mouse population.
Extended definition:
A solution whose aesthetic sophistication is inversely proportional to its effectiveness, particularly one that worsens the very problem it was intended to solve.
A mousetrap distinguished by its high price, elaborate design, and complete inability to catch mice; often alleged to improve the comfort, confidence, and reproductive success of the local mouse population.
Extended definition:
A solution whose aesthetic sophistication is inversely proportional to its effectiveness, particularly one that worsens the very problem it was intended to solve.
Examples
"The committee spent six months building an Italian mousetrap for the budget deficit."
"Their cybersecurity plan turned out to be an Italian mousetrap: expensive, complicated, and apparently helpful to the attackers."
"We bought the deluxe model, and now there are twice as many mice as before. Classic Italian mousetrap."
"The committee spent six months building an Italian mousetrap for the budget deficit."
"Their cybersecurity plan turned out to be an Italian mousetrap: expensive, complicated, and apparently helpful to the attackers."
"We bought the deluxe model, and now there are twice as many mice as before. Classic Italian mousetrap."
Italian mousetrap by Yuri Mahm June 23, 2026
