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fall prey. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
fall prey, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
fall prey in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
fall prey you have here. The definition of the word
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fall prey, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Verb
fall prey (third-person singular simple present falls prey, present participle falling prey, simple past fell prey, past participle fallen prey)
- To be affected, or overcome by, a bad situation; used with to.
- Synonym: fall victim
Many children at our school have fallen prey to the 'flu bug.
Inexperienced teachers sometimes fall prey to fears that they do not know enough.
1974 February 2, Edward Sebesta, “Launching the Gay '80s: Gay Rights Under Siege In Santa Clara County”, in Gay Community News, volume 1, number 32, page 5:Even now gay rights ordinances are in danger of being repealed by local and statewide initiatives. Indeed, San Francisco, the self proclaimed gay capital, is in the danger of falling prey to the anti-gays.
Usage notes
- fall prey is almost always followed by the preposition to.
Translations
to be affected by a bad situation