toy with

toy with — 片語動詞

  • 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

隨意考慮

不認真地思索某個想法

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.

Ignacio 隨意考慮搬到東京的想法，但從未填好申請文件。

toy with + the idea of [doing something]

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

委員會隨意考慮了幾項提案，之後決定延後投票。

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

擺弄

無意識地撥弄小物品

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.

Baraka 坐在桌旁，一邊擺弄咖啡匙，一邊望著窗外。

toy with + object during absent-minded moment

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

Shirin 在面試時緊張地擺弄手提包的背帶。

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

玩弄

輕率對待他人感情

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.

Stephanie 警告他，如果只想要友情就別玩弄她的感情。

toy with + someone's heart

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

Asher 發現 Anong 一直在玩弄他的感情時，感到非常受傷。

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.