TOY WITH Meaning and
Definition
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"Toy with" is a phrasal verb that refers to the act of engaging in a playful or casual manner with something, particularly, an idea, concept, or person, without any serious intention of commitment or action. It implies the consideration or exploration of an option or possibility in a lighthearted and often noncommittal manner.
When someone "toys with" an idea, they are essentially mulling it over or playing around with it in their mind, but not taking it seriously or giving it full attention. It denotes a sense of hesitancy or lack of commitment towards a particular course of action. Similarly, in social relationships, when someone is said to be "toying with" another person's feelings or emotions, it suggests that they are not genuinely invested or committed but instead are playing with their emotions for their own amusement or personal benefit.
"Toy with" can also express the act of physically engaging with something in a whimsical or light-hearted manner, often involving manipulation or playful interaction with an object. This can be seen in the context of playing with a childhood toy, experimenting with different movements or actions, without the intention of achieving a specific outcome or result.
In summary, "to toy with" signifies the act of engaging in a light-hearted, noncommittal, and playful manner with an idea, concept, person, or object, without any serious intent or commitment.
Common Misspellings for TOY WITH
- roy with
- foy with
- goy with
- yoy with
- 6oy with
- 5oy with
- tiy with
- tky with
- tly with
- tpy with
- t0y with
- t9y with
- tot with
- tog with
- toh with
- tou with
- to7 with
- toy qith
Etymology of TOY WITH
The word "toy with" combines two elements with distinct origins: "toy" and "with".
The word "toy" comes from the Old English word "togian", which means "to tease or play with". This Old English word may have derived from the Old Norse word "togari", meaning "one who mumbles or mutters". Over time, the meaning of "toy" extended to include the concept of playing with or amusing oneself with an object or idea.
On the other hand, the word "with" is an Old English word meaning "against" or "in opposition to". It has various origins, ultimately tracing back to the Proto-Germanic word "wiðra" and the Proto-Indo-European root word "wi".
When the two words are combined, "toy with" signifies the act of playfully or casually engaging with something.
Idioms with the word TOY WITH
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toy with sth
The idiom "toy with something" means to experiment with or consider something casually or without seriousness. It suggests playing or fiddling with an idea, concept, or option without fully committing to it or giving it full attention.
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toy with sb
The idiom "toy with someone" means to play with or manipulate someone's emotions, desires, or feelings for one's own amusement or advantage. It implies treating someone as a source of entertainment or a tool to achieve one's own goals, often without any genuine intention or commitment.
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toy with sm
The idiom "toy with someone" means to play or experiment with someone's emotions, feelings, or desires without any intention of committing or taking their feelings seriously. It often implies manipulating or leading someone on for personal amusement or temporary enjoyment, with no genuine interest in a serious relationship or commitment.
Similar spelling words for TOY WITH
