toy with somebody/something phrasal verb (see also toy)

1. to think about an idea or possibility, usually for a short time and not very seriously
toy with the idea of doing something
I’ve been toying with the idea of going to Japan to visit them.

2. to keep moving and touching an object or food:
He spoke casually and toyed with his pen.
Laura was toying with her food and looking increasingly bored.

3. to lie to someone or trick them, for example saying that you love them when you do not

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

toy with
toy with (someone)
to encourage someone to believe you care about them when you do not.
Don't fool yourself by thinking he wants a serious relationship — he's famous for toying with women.

Related vocabulary: lead someone on
toy with (something)
1.
to think about something but not seriously.
We're toying with the idea of going to Peru next year.

2.
to handle something or move it around without any clear purpose.
As he was speaking, he toyed nervously with a button on his jacket.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

toy with something
toy with (something)
1.
to think about something but not seriously.
We're toying with the idea of going to Peru next year.

2.
to handle something or move it around without any clear purpose.
As he was speaking, he toyed nervously with a button on his jacket.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

toy with
• toy with (someone or something)
to tease someone, to play or fiddle with something
The woman in the bank was toying with me when she began to ask me many questions.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

toy with something
• toy with (someone or something)
to tease someone, to play or fiddle with something
The woman in the bank was toying with me when she began to ask me many questions.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

toy with someone
toy with (someone)
to encourage someone to believe you care about them when you do not.
Don't fool yourself by thinking he wants a serious relationship — he's famous for toying with women.

Related vocabulary: lead someone on
toy with (something)
1.
to think about something but not seriously.
We're toying with the idea of going to Peru next year.

2.
to handle something or move it around without any clear purpose.
As he was speaking, he toyed nervously with a button on his jacket.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

toy with someone
• toy with (someone or something)
to tease someone, to play or fiddle with something
The woman in the bank was toying with me when she began to ask me many questions.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲