Green’s Dictionary of Slang

bait adj.

(UK teen) used as a general negative.

2005		Jade LB Keisha the Sket (2021) 38: ‘Ur soo bate man, u can hav er’.
2007		L. von Amerongen Teen Talk n.p.: bait — a general negative word.
2007		Skins ser.1 ep.3 [TV script] Raas, breader, dat’s bate .
2014		Guardian 5 Dec. 🌐 Bare bait. This article is peak, fam.
2015		Section Boyz ‘Trapping Ain’t Dead’ 🎵 Man ah do road on the main road / Bait face, man ah never lay low.
2015		67 ‘Low But Bait’ 🎵 I move low but I’m bait / I think the feds on my case.
2020		G. Krauze Who They Was 5: He’s moving smart; not driving overly fast like it’s some bate getaway.
2021		Central Cee ‘6 for 6’ 🎵 Half of the hood did show man love, it's bait that the rest are hating.

In derivatives

bateness (n.)

(UK black) a foolish, mistaken action.

2020

G. Krauze What They Was 10: Fuck dat blood I’m not doing that kinda bateness after what just happened.

In phrases

bait someone off (v.)

(UK black) to cause trouble for.

2020

G. Krauze What They Was 284: My brother comes upstairs [...] I say don’t bate me off Danny, shit.