Idiom idiom
toy with
Meaning
To handle something in a careless or frivolous manner.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Examples
“Stop toying with your food and eat it.”
“He kept toying with the idea of moving abroad but never actually made any plans.”
“The cat toyed with the wounded bird, batting it gently between its paws before finally losing interest.”
Anchors to
- 01
boy toy
A gigolo or younger man who is sexually pursued by an older person.
- 02
boys and their toys
Used to evoke the idea that adult men sometimes dote excessively on machines, automobiles, and gadgets in a childish manner.
- 03
throw one's toys out of the pram
To lose one's temper; to throw a tantrum.
- 04
toys in the attic
Insanity or craziness.
Last updated August 10, 2026