toy with
Handle without commitment
To toy with something is to handle it idly or without serious intent—fidgeting with a pen, pushing food around a plate: She toyed with her necklace while she talked.
To toy with an idea is to consider it casually without commitment: I've toyed with the idea of moving abroad.
To toy with a person is to treat them carelessly, especially in romance—leading them on without genuine feeling: He was just toying with her affections.
Falsely encourage someone's hopes
- string alongDeceive by prolonging hope
- tantalizeTease with unreachable things
- enticeAttract by offering appeal
- temptDraw toward wrongdoing
Consider something thoroughly
- entertainAmuse or host
- mull overConsider at length
- weighDetermine mass or ponder
- ponderThink deeply about
think about · explore · toss around · kick around · turn over · examine · consider · speculate
lead on
Falsely encourage someone's hopes
- string alongDeceive by prolonging hope
- tantalizeTease with unreachable things
- enticeAttract by offering appeal
contemplate
Consider something thoroughly
ponder · think about · explore · toss around · kick around · turn over · examine · consider · speculate · dream of
twiddle
Turn idly, absently
spin · nudge · jiggle · pick at · fondle · stroke · caress · turn over · manipulate
make light of
Treat as unimportant
- brush asideReject without serious thought
toy withtake seriously
Treat as significant
embrace · throw oneself into · go all in · buckle down · mean business
toy withresolve
Firmness of purpose
make up one's mind · settle on · take the plunge · pull the trigger · follow through
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