2prey verb
preys; preyed; prey·ing Meaning:
prey on/upon [phrasal verb] 1 prey on/upon (something) : to hunt and kill (something) for food
▪ The wolves prey on small animals. 2 prey on/upon (someone) : to hurt, cheat, or steal from (someone)
▪ criminals who prey on lonely elderly people ▪ Gangs are known to prey on tourists in the city. 3 prey on/upon someone's mind : to make someone worry : to be constantly on someone's mind
▪ Her growing debts preyed on her mind. [=she worried about her growing debts] ▪ The thought that he could have done better preyed on his mind. ▪ a question that preys on the minds of many of us
▪ The wolves prey on small animals.
▪ criminals who prey on lonely elderly people ▪ Gangs are known to prey on tourists in the city.
▪ Her growing debts preyed on her mind. [=she worried about her growing debts] ▪ The thought that he could have done better preyed on his mind. ▪ a question that preys on the minds of many of us
