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Glite Dictionary
to toy with

to toy with

22 4.5
To think about an idea or plan without deciding
  • phrasal verb
  • /tɔɪ wɪð/
: jugar con
  • And so I was also toying with the idea of law school and trying to think about what might be most practical.
  • toyed with the idea
  • toyed with the notion

Yeah, Yeah, there's a, a company that I'm, I'm toying with investing in and they do this for people.

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Examples

  • For a while, I seriously toyed with the idea of calling myself Mr. Pretentious.

    Fiction book (2000)

  • And it's a simple thing and I'm toying with the idea of using this sort of problem on the exam.

    MIT OpenCourseWare

  • So a while ago I was toying with the idea of making a set of Mass Effect armor.

  • The United States and Russia have long toyed with the idea of having an energy dialogue.

    Academic text (2009)

  • I could tell when he was questioning me that he was toying with the idea.

    Fiction book (1995)

  • In college, she toyed with many subjects, but ultimately found herself attracted to African history.

    Academic text (2005)

  • I was already kind of toying with vegetarianism.

  • Actually, I was toying with the idea of leaving the moustache on.

    House Calls (1978)

  • Matt and I have been looking at our house plans and our building plans, and we are toying with the idea of having a utility room or laundry room upstairs.

  • In college, I toyed with the idea of studying abroad for a semester.

Synonyms

to think about
vsto toy with
∞ 1.0

To give attention to something in your mind

considers ideas casually without committing to a firm choice
to think of
vsto toy with
∞ 1.0

Keep a person or thing in your mind when making plans

reserves ideas for casual consideration rather than deciding on them
to play around
vsto toy with
  • Informal
94 3.4

To try something in a casual playful way without being serious

considers ideas lightly rather than making a definite decision
to toy
vsto toy with
68 5.5

To handle something in a playful, not serious way

considers possibilities in a light way without making a firm choice
to entertain
vsto toy with
52 4.2

Think about an idea or possibility

considers possibilities without reaching a final decision
to tease
vsto toy with
  • NSFW
34 3.5

To make someone feel excited or curious without telling them more

provokes interest rather than simply weighing an idea without decision
to kick around
vsto toy with
  • Informal
10 4.6

Discuss an idea informally without making a decision

is used for casual consideration rather than firm commitment
to dally
vsto toy with
1 7.5

To think about an idea without planning to do it

considers ideas casually but without firm decision

Antonyms

to decide
∞ 1.0

To make a choice after thinking about the options

How Serious

to consider
∞ 1.1
to toy with
22 4.5
to dally
1 7.5

Surface Forms

toy with infinitive
toyed with past
toyed with past participle
toying with present participle
toys with third person singular

Morphology

toy + with

The phrase 'toy with' is a metaphorical extension of the verb 'toy' (to handle or play with something) applied to abstract objects: treating an idea playfully or without commitment. This physical-to-mental mapping is fairly clear but requires a figurative transfer, so a B1 learner who knows the parts will likely guess the general sense but not the exact pragmatic nuance, making it semi-transparent.

Etymology

Toy with comes from the simple image of someone playing with a small toy in their hands and not doing anything serious. So, if you toy with an idea, you 'consider' it lightly and do not make a firm decision.