femme fatale

A femme fatale is an alluring and seductive woman whose charms trap her lovers in bonds of irresistible desire, often leading them into dangerous, and deadly situations. She is very intelligent. Her ability to hypnotize her male victim was in the earliest stories seen as being literally supernatural, hence the most prosaic femme fatale today is still described as having a power akin to an enchantress, vampire, female monster or demon. The ideas involved are closely tied to fears of the female witch.

The phrase is French for "deadly woman." A femme fatale tries to achieve her hidden purpose by using feminine wiles such as beauty, charm, and sexual allure. Typically, she is exceptionally well-endowed with these qualities. In some situations, she uses lying rather than charm. She may also be or imply to be a victim, caught in a situation from which she cannot escape, Her characteristic weapon, if needed, is frequently poison, which also serves as a metaphor for her charms.