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to prey on
[phrase form: prey]
01
to hunt, capture, and eat other animals as a means of survival
Transitive: to prey on an animal
Examples
Lions prey on zebras in the wild.
Owls prey on small rodents during the night.
02
to take advantage of those who are vulnerable or easily fooled
Transitive: to prey on a person or their vulnerabilities
Examples
Opportunistic thieves often prey on tourists who might be unaware of local dangers.
Some online scams prey on people's trust, asking for personal details under false pretenses.
