Direct Answer
“Prey upon sb” means to harm or exploit someone, often by taking advantage of their weaknesses or fears.
快速信息框
- 短语动词：捕食某人
- 类型：及物动词
- 水平：B2–C1
- 简短含义：伤害或利用某人
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.
结构（语法规则）
- Prey upon sb is an inseparable phrasal verb. You cannot put the object between “prey” and “upon.” (“Prey upon sb”是一个不可分离的短语动词，不能将宾语置于“prey”和“upon”之间。) Correct pattern: prey upon + somebody
- Incorrect: prey somebody upon or prey upon without an object (错误用法：prey somebody upon 或单独使用 prey upon（无宾语）)
例子
以下是一些使用“prey upon sb”的自然句子示例：
- Scammers often prey upon the elderly by pretending to be bank officials. (骗子常常冒充银行工作人员，专门欺骗老年人。)
- Fear and uncertainty can prey upon people during difficult times. (在艰难时期，恐惧和不确定感常常会困扰人们。)
- Some criminals prey upon vulnerable children in the community. (一些罪犯利用社区中脆弱的儿童进行犯罪活动。)
- His guilt continued to prey upon him long after the event. (那件事发生后，他的内疚感一直折磨着他。)
- Negative thoughts can prey upon your mind if you don’t stay positive. (如果你不能保持积极，消极的想法就会不断侵蚀你的心灵。)
常见错误
- 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.
差异 / 同义词
- Prey upon sb: 与“take advantage of sb”相比，两者都表示利用某人，但“prey upon”通常暗示有伤害或危险。
- Prey upon sb: vs. 以某人为食：“Feed on” 更具字面或生物学意义，通常用于动物或情感，而 “prey upon” 则更广泛且更具比喻意味。
- Prey upon sb: vs. 针对某人：“Target”意为选择某人，而“prey upon”则强调有害的意图。
常见搭配
- Prey upon the weak (欺凌弱者)
- Prey upon the vulnerable (掠夺弱势群体)
- Prey upon fears (利用恐惧进行掠夺)
- Prey upon innocence (利用无辜者)
- Prey upon someone’s mind (折磨某人的心灵)
相关短语动词
以下是相关短语动词 prey upon sb:
现实生活中的对话
Anna: Did you hear about the new scam targeting seniors?
安娜：你听说过那个专门针对老年人的新骗局吗？
Ben: Yes, it’s terrible how some people prey upon the elderly like that.
本：是啊，有些人那样欺骗老人，真是太可怕了。
Anna: I hope more awareness can stop them from preying upon vulnerable people.
安娜：我希望更多的关注能够阻止他们利用弱势群体。
练习
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
常见问题解答
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.
