preying on

Verb

prey on (third-person singular simple present preys on, present participle preying on, simple past and past participle preyed on)

1. (transitive) To eat (as prey).
   • Owls prey on small mammals, such as mice.
2. (figuratively, transitive) To exploit or victimize.
   • Bradford had preyed on Villa's inability to defend set pieces, corners in particular, in their first-leg win and took advantage of the weakness again as Hanson equalised to restore their two-goal aggregate lead.2013 January 22, Phil McNulty, “Aston Villa 2-1 Bradford (3-4)”, in BBC
3. (figuratively, transitive) To weigh heavily upon (a person's mind).
   • The past—to me, the dreadful past !—is one eternal present ; and the Promethean vulture of remorse preys on me now, and for ever.1852, George Payne Rainsford James, “Remorse”, in A Book of the Passions, Henry G. Bohn, page 2