# toy with

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/toy-with
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To handle something in a careless or frivolous manner.

## 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.