prey upon
Target the vulnerable
To prey upon is to hunt and feed on, as predators do: Owls prey upon mice and other small mammals.
The phrase extends to exploiting or victimizing vulnerable people: Scammers prey upon the elderly.
Someone who preys upon others targets them systematically for harm or advantage.
The spelling pray upon is an error.
- victimizeHarm someone deliberately
- fall victimBecome harmed by something
- stalkPlant's vertical support
- zero in onFocus precisely upon
- single outSelect for special attention
gaslight · ambush · exploit · take advantage · manipulate · devour · hunt · marginalize · extort · cash cow · fleece · bite · ensnare · bleed dry · swindle · colonize · trap · extract
- exploitationexploit, sex trafficking, take advantage, human trafficking, forced marriage