toying with
Playfully turning over
Toying with means handling something casually or without serious intent.
You might toy with an idea without committing to it, or toy with your food when you're not hungry.
The phrase often implies manipulation or carelessness toward something that deserves more respect: She accused him of toying with her emotions.
To toy with someone is to treat them as a plaything.
- playingParticipating in recreation
- jugglingSequential toss-and-catch performance
- flirtingPlayfully showing romantic interest
- leading onEncouraging without commitment
- stringing alongProlonged romantic deception
fiddling · dabbling · teasing · entertaining · tinkering · tempting · meddling · manipulating · gaming · taunting · experimenting · kicking around · baiting · dallying · handling · fooling around · pondering · speculating
treatment of others
toying withrespecting
About; on the topic
cherishing · honoring · valuing · caring for