toy with

toy with — phrasal verb

  • toy withbase form
  • toys with3rd person singular
  • toying with-ing form
  • toyed withpast simple

1. to give brief, unserious consideration to a possibility or course of action, wit

1.片語動詞及物B2
釋義

to give brief, unserious consideration to a possibility or course of action, without being committed to it.

例句

Ignacio toyed with the idea of moving to Tokyo, but never filled out the paperwork.

toy with + the idea of [doing something]

The committee toyed with several proposals before deciding to postpone the vote.

同義詞
  • consider

    more formal and suggests serious thought

  • play with

    even less serious; sometimes used for children's imaginary plans

反義詞
  • decide

    toying with an idea does not lead to a firm decision

  • commit to

    suggests taking definite action instead of just thinking lightly

文法句型

toy with + the idea / thought / possibility of ...

用法筆記

Typically takes the idea of, the thought of, or the possibility of as its object. Never implies a formal or serious decision-making process.

常見錯誤

❌I toyed with a new job offer seriously for weeks.
✅I toyed with the idea of taking a new job for a few days.
💡'toy with' implies light, unserious consideration; use 'consider' or 'weigh up' for serious deliberation.

2. to handle or move an object idly with your hands, typically while your attention

2.片語動詞及物B2
釋義

to handle or move an object idly with your hands, typically while your attention is on something else.

例句

Baraka sat at the table, toying with his coffee spoon while staring out the window.

toy with + object during absent-minded moment

Shirin nervously toyed with the strap of her handbag during the job interview.

同義詞

文法句型

toy with + object (small handheld item)

用法筆記

The object is usually a small, handheld item such as a pen, key, ring, piece of clothing, or strand of hair. The action is typically unconscious or absent-minded.

常見錯誤

❌He toyed with the heavy box to move it.
✅He toyed with the pen cap while reading the letter.
💡'toy with' in this sense requires a small, light object that can be handled idly, not a heavy item moved with effort.

3. to treat someone's emotions carelessly, giving them a false impression that you

3.片語動詞及物B2
釋義

to treat someone's emotions carelessly, giving them a false impression that you are interested in them romantically.

例句

Stephanie warned him not to toy with her heart if he only wanted friendship.

toy with + someone's heart

Asher felt hurt when he realised that Anong had been toying with his affections.

同義詞
  • trifle with

    more formal and old-fashioned; carries the same meaning

  • play with

    vague; context determines whether it means this sense or sense 1

反義詞

文法句型

toy with + someone / someone's feelings / someone's heart

用法筆記

The object is always a person or their emotions (heart, feelings, affections). Distinguish from sense 1, where the object is an idea or plan. Often used in warnings or accusations about romantic relationships.

常見錯誤

❌The company toyed with its employees by promising bonuses.
✅He toyed with her feelings by pretending to be in love.
💡'toy with' in this sense only applies to personal, especially romantic, emotions, not professional or business situations.