Direct Answer
Prey on sb means to hunt, attack, or take advantage of someone, usually in a harmful way. It is often used to describe animals or people who exploit others.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: Prey on somebody (sb)
- Type: Transitive (needs an object)
- Level: B2
- Short meaning: To hunt or exploit someone
Meaning in Detail
The prey on sb meaning involves taking advantage of or causing harm to someone. This can be literal, like an animal hunting its prey, or figurative, such as a person exploiting another’s weakness. It often has a negative sense, implying unfair or cruel behavior.
For example, criminals may prey on vulnerable people, meaning they take advantage of them to commit crimes.
Structure (Grammar Rules)
Prey on sb is an inseparable phrasal verb, which means you cannot separate “prey” and “on” by placing the object in between.
- Correct: They prey on the weak.
- Incorrect: They prey the weak on.
It follows this pattern:
- Prey + on + somebody/something
Examples
Here are some Prey on sb in a sentence examples:
- Owls prey on small rodents at night.
- Scammers often prey on elderly people.
- In the wild, lions prey on zebras.
- Some companies prey on customers’ lack of knowledge.
- Fear can prey on your mind and make you anxious.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: They prey the poor people on.
- Correct: They prey on poor people.
- Incorrect: The tiger preys a deer.
- Correct: The tiger preys on a deer.
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrasal verbs include take advantage of and feed on. However, prey on sb specifically implies harm or exploitation, often with a predator-prey relationship.
- Take advantage of: Can be neutral or negative, meaning to use a situation or person for benefit.
- Feed on: More literal, meaning to eat or consume.
- Prey on sb: Always negative, meaning to hunt or exploit.
Common Collocations
- Prey on the weak
- Prey on the vulnerable
- Prey on fear
- Prey on ignorance
- Prey on animals
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of prey on sb:
Real-life Dialogue
Anna: Did you hear about those scammers?
Ben: Yes, they prey on elderly people who don’t know much about technology.
Anna: That’s terrible. People should be more careful.
Practice
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of prey on:
- Some animals _______ small insects for food.
- Fraudsters often _______ people who are lonely.
- Fear can _______ your thoughts and make you worried.
FAQ
What does “prey on sb” mean?
It means to hunt or take advantage of someone, usually in a harmful way.
Is “prey on sb” separable?
No, you cannot separate “prey” and “on” by placing the object in between.
Can “prey on sb” be used for people?
Yes, it is often used to describe people exploiting others.
What is a synonym for “prey on sb”?
“Take advantage of” is a common synonym but may have a less negative meaning.
Can “prey on sb” be used in positive sentences?
No, it usually has a negative or harmful meaning.
