prey on

B2 neutral inseparable transitive

In simple words

To hunt and catch animals for food, or to trick and harm people who can't defend themselves.

Literal meaning: A predator hunting and consuming its prey — the word 'prey' in the base verb preserves the literal meaning, making the figurative extension very vivid.

Meanings

1 B1 neutral

common

For an animal to hunt, kill, and eat another animal.

"Owls prey on small rodents such as mice and voles."

Grammar: inseparable

2 B2 idiomatic neutral

common

To deliberately target and exploit vulnerable or defenceless people for personal gain.

"The scammers preyed on elderly people who were unfamiliar with online banking."

"These are people who prey on the most vulnerable among us."
— Barack Obama, remarks on elder fraud (2012)

Grammar: inseparable

3 B2 idiomatic neutral

common

To cause persistent worry or distress to someone's mind. (Fixed expression: 'prey on someone's mind'.)

"The memory of the accident continued to prey on his mind for months afterwards."

Grammar: inseparable

Usage notes

Used in both biological/natural history contexts (predators preying on animals) and social contexts (criminals, scammers preying on the elderly or vulnerable). The figurative sense carries a strong negative moral judgement. Also used in the fixed expression 'prey on someone's mind', meaning to cause persistent worry.

Commonly used with

elderly vulnerable victims animals fears insecurities mind

Forms

Base

prey on

I/you/we/they

3rd person

preys on

he/she/it

Past simple

preyed on

yesterday

Past participle

preyed on

have + pp

-ing form

preying on

continuous

Understand "prey on" better

Try:

Real video examples

Video examples are being collected. Check back soon.

Synonyms

hunt exploit take advantage of victimise feed on parasitise

Want to master this phrasal verb?

Practice "prey on" on Looplines