Direct Answer
“Prey upon sb” means to harm or exploit someone, often by taking advantage of their weaknesses or fears.
クイックインフォボックス
- 句動詞：「prey upon somebody」
- タイプ：他動詞
- レベル：B2〜C1
- 簡単な意味：誰かを傷つけたり、利用したりすること
Meaning in Detail
The phrasal verb prey upon sb means to harm or exploit a person, often emotionally or physically. This phrase is used when someone takes advantage of another’s vulnerability, fears, or weaknesses. For example, a criminal might prey upon elderly people by tricking them. The phrase is usually negative and describes unfair or harmful behavior.
Understanding the prey upon sb meaning helps you recognize when someone is being taken advantage of or hurt by others.
構造（文法規則）
- Prey upon sb is an inseparable phrasal verb. You cannot put the object between “prey” and “upon.” (“Prey upon sb”は切り離せない句動詞です。目的語を“prey”と“upon”の間に置くことはできません。) Correct pattern: prey upon + somebody
- Incorrect: prey somebody upon or prey upon without an object (誤り：「prey somebody upon」または目的語なしの「prey upon」)
例文
以下は「prey upon sb」を使った自然な例文です。
- Scammers often prey upon the elderly by pretending to be bank officials. (詐欺師は銀行の職員を装って高齢者を狙うことがよくあります。)
- Fear and uncertainty can prey upon people during difficult times. (困難な時期には、不安や恐怖が人々の心を蝕むことがあります。)
- Some criminals prey upon vulnerable children in the community. (一部の犯罪者は地域の弱い立場にある子供たちを狙って悪事を働きます。)
- His guilt continued to prey upon him long after the event. (彼の罪悪感は、その出来事の後も長い間彼を苦しめ続けた。)
- Negative thoughts can prey upon your mind if you don’t stay positive. (前向きでいなければ、ネガティブな考えが心を蝕んでしまうことがあります。)
よくある間違い
- Incorrect: He preys the weak upon.
- Correct: He preys upon the weak.
- Incorrect: They preyed upon without a target.
- Correct: They preyed upon innocent victims.
違い / 同義語
- Prey upon sb: vs. take advantage of sb：どちらも誰かを利用するという意味ですが、「prey upon」はしばしば害や危険を伴うことを示唆します。
- Prey upon sb: vs. feed on sb：「Feed on」はより文字通りまたは生物学的な意味合いで、動物や感情に使われるのに対し、「prey upon」はより広範で比喩的な表現です。
- Prey upon sb: vs. target sb：「Target」は誰かを選ぶことを意味しますが、「prey upon」は害を与える意図を強調します。
よく使われる連語
- Prey upon the weak (弱い者を食い物にする)
- Prey upon the vulnerable (弱い者を捕食する)
- Prey upon fears (恐怖を餌にする)
- Prey upon innocence (無垢を食い物にする)
- Prey upon someone’s mind (誰かの心を蝕む)
関連する句動詞
以下は関連する句動詞です prey upon sb:
実際の会話
Anna: Did you hear about the new scam targeting seniors?
アンナ：高齢者を狙った新しい詐欺の話、聞いた？
Ben: Yes, it’s terrible how some people prey upon the elderly like that.
ベン：そうですね、高齢者をあのように狙う人がいるのは本当にひどいことです。
Anna: I hope more awareness can stop them from preying upon vulnerable people.
アンナ：もっと多くの人が気づくことで、弱い立場の人を狙うのを防げるといいですね。
練習
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the phrasal verb:
Criminals often ________ upon tourists by selling fake tickets.
- a) prey
- b) prey upon
- c) prey on
Answer: b) prey upon
よくある質問
What does “prey upon sb” mean?
It means to harm or exploit someone, usually by taking advantage of their weaknesses.
Is “prey upon sb” positive or negative?
It is always negative and describes harmful behavior.
Can “prey upon” be separated?
No, it is an inseparable phrasal verb; the object must come after “upon.”
Can animals “prey upon” humans?
Yes, it can be used literally for animals hunting humans or figuratively for emotional harm.
What are common objects with “prey upon”?
People, the weak, the vulnerable, fears, and innocence are common objects.
