prey Idiom, Proverb

prey on (upon)

catch for food, kill and eat Cats usually prey on mice and small birds if they can catch them.

prey on

1．hunt and kill（animal）for food 捕食
Cats prey on mice．猫捉老鼠。
What does the owl prey on？猫头鹰捉什么东西吃？
2．rob； take advantage of劫掠
The robbers living in the mountains preyed on any traveller who wandered into their land．住在山里的那帮强盗对进入他们地区的任何游人都要抢劫。
It was hard to believe that these little boats were being preyed on by pirates．很难相信海盗对这些小船都要抢劫。
3．trouble or worry sb．使痛苦；折磨
His fears and worries preyed so much on his mind that eventually he committed suicide．恐惧和焦虑经常折磨着他，最后他自杀了。
Ill health has preyed on him for years．疾病折磨了他许多年。

prey on|prey|prey upon

v. 1. To habitually kill and eat; catch for food. Cats prey on mice. 2. To capture or take in spoils of war or robbery. Pirates preyed on American ships in the years just after the Revolutionary War. 3. To cheat; rob. Gangsters preyed on businesses of many kinds while the sale of liquor was prohibited. 4. To have a tiring and weakening effect on; weaken. Ill health had preyed on him for years. Business worries preyed on his mind.

prey on one's mind|mind|prey|prey on

v. phr. To afflict; worry. He couldn't sleep because his many debts were preying on his mind.

More Idioms/Phrases

press box press conference press one's luck press the flesh pressure group pretty penny prevail upon prey on prey on one's mind price on one's head prick up one's ears pride must take a pinch pride oneself on private eye promise the moon proof of the pudding is in the eating psych out

An prey idiom dictionary is a great resource for writers, students, and anyone looking to expand their vocabulary. It contains a list of words with similar meanings with prey, allowing users to choose the best word for their specific context. Dictionary of similar words, Different wording, Synonyms, Idioms for Idiom, Proverb prey

Learn more

Music ♫