prey /preɪ/ ► SEE ALLprey on sbprey on sth●ˈprey on sb ( ˈprey upon sbmore formal) to treat sb who is weaker than you in an unfair or dishonest way in order to get sth or gain an advantage for yourself欺压,掠夺(弱者)◆The thieves have been preying on elderly people living alone. 窃贼们一直在偷盗独居老人的财物。SYNexploit sb[v + prep] ●prey on sb’s ˈmindif a problem or a thought preys on your mind, you think and worry about it all the time(问题或想法)萦绕心头;使耿耿于怀;使忧心忡忡●ˈprey on sth ( ˈprey upon sthmore formal) if a bird or an animal preys on/upon another bird or animal, it hunts and kills it for food(鸟兽)捕食,猎食◆They prey on small mammals. 它们捕食小型哺乳动物。◆These small fish are preyed upon by sharks and other fish. 这些小鱼是鲨鱼和其他鱼类的猎物。[v + prep]