▪ I. prey prey 1 [preɪ] verb
prey on/upon somebody/something phrasal verb [transitive]
to take advantage of people who are weak or easily deceived:
• fake charities that prey on small businesses for contributions
[m0] ▪ II. prey prey 2 noun [uncountable]
• MIN would prefer to be predator (= a company that buys another company ) rather than prey, but it was outbid in its last attempt to buy a regional newspaper.
2. be/fall prey to something to be unable to avoid a harmful or difficult situation:
• After opening higher, the OTC market fell prey to profit-taking.
• The once-soaring South Korean economy has fallen prey to steep wage increases and high inflation.
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prey UK US /preɪ/ noun [U or S]
► someone who can be easily deceived or harmed: »
Children are seen as easy prey for this type of advertising.
► FINANCE a company that another, usually larger or stronger, company wants to buy or control : »
The insurance company is in danger of changing from being predator to being prey.
Financial and business terms. 2012.