prey upon phrasal verb

1. (of an animal or a bird) to hunt and kill another animal for food
   • ● Hawks prey on rodents and small birds.
   homophones at praise
2. to harm somebody who is weaker than you, or make use of them in a dishonest way to get what you want
   • ● Bogus social workers have been preying on old people living alone.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲

prey upon
1. • prey on/upon (someone)
to cheat/rob someone
Criminals often prey on people who are the weakest members of society.

2. • prey on/upon (something)
to catch something for food, to kill and eat something
Cats usually prey on mice and small birds for food.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

prey upon something
• prey on/upon (something)
to catch something for food, to kill and eat something
Cats usually prey on mice and small birds for food.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

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.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

prey upon someone
• prey on/upon (someone)
to cheat/rob someone
Criminals often prey on people who are the weakest members of society.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲