fall victim
Become the prey
To fall victim is to suffer harm, misfortune, or exploitation from something or someone: She fell victim to a phone scam, The village fell victim to flooding.
The phrase implies being acted upon rather than at fault—one falls victim to circumstances, predators, or forces beyond control.
State of poor health
- infectionPathogen invasion causing illness
- epidemicWidespread disease occurrence
- pandemicGlobal disease outbreak
- plagueDeadly epidemic disease
virus · cancer · contagion · outbreak · malaria · cholera · tuberculosis · influenza
Dishonest money-making scheme
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
- predatorOrganism that consumes others
- con artistProfessional fraud perpetrator
- traffickingIllegal transport for profit
identity theft · phishing · swindle · scheme · racket · manipulation · coercion · extortion
Easily influenced or harmed
- at riskSubject to danger
- targetedChosen for specific attention
- defenselessWithout means to resist
- unprotectedWithout safeguard or shield
exposed · helpless · naive · trusting · gullible · unsuspecting · innocent · elderly
Unintended harmful event
- circumstanceCondition affecting an event
- bad luckUnfavorable chance events
- misadventureUnfortunate incident or accident
- fatePredetermined course of events
chance · coincidence · random · unfortunate · ill-fated · unlucky · casualty · bystander
Aggressive act against another
- assaultViolent offensive act
- murderDeliberate unlawful killing
- crimePunishable illegal act
- robberyTheft through intimidation
kidnapping · shooting · bombing · terrorism · genocide · hate crime · mugging · carjacking
illness
State of poor health
- infectionPathogen invasion causing illness
- epidemicWidespread disease occurrence
- pandemicGlobal disease outbreak
plague · virus · cancer · contagion · outbreak · malaria · cholera · tuberculosis · influenza · COVID
scam
Dishonest money-making scheme
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
- predatorOrganism that consumes others
- con artistProfessional fraud perpetrator
trafficking · identity theft · phishing · swindle · scheme · racket · manipulation · coercion · extortion · deception
susceptible
Easily influenced or harmed
- at riskSubject to danger
- targetedChosen for specific attention
- defenselessWithout means to resist
unprotected · exposed · helpless · naive · trusting · gullible · unsuspecting · innocent · elderly · marginalized
accident
Unintended harmful event
- circumstanceCondition affecting an event
- bad luckUnfavorable chance events
- misadventureUnfortunate incident or accident
fate · chance · coincidence · random · unfortunate · ill-fated · unlucky · casualty · bystander · collateral damage
attack
Aggressive act against another
robbery · kidnapping · shooting · bombing · terrorism · genocide · hate crime · mugging · carjacking · home invasion
earthquake
Seismic ground movement
hurricane · tornado · avalanche · landslide · famine · drought · wildfire · typhoon · cyclone · volcanic eruption