Phrase guide

fall prey

verb · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To be affected, or overcome by, a bad situation; used with to.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • 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.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: fall victim

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

10 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Bulgarian: ставам жертва (stavam žertva) — to be affected by a bad situation
  • Bulgarian: стана жертва (stana žertva) — to be affected by a bad situation
  • Hungarian: áldozatul esik — to be affected by a bad situation
  • Italian: cadere vittima — to be affected by a bad situation
  • Polish: paść ofiarą — to be affected by a bad situation
  • Polish: padać ofiarą — to be affected by a bad situation
  • Russian: становиться добычей (stanovitʹsja dobyčej) — to be affected by a bad situation
  • Russian: стать добычей (statʹ dobyčej) — to be affected by a bad situation
  • Spanish: ser presa (de) — to be affected by a bad situation
  • Spanish: caer presa (de) — to be affected by a bad situation