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toy

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boy toy

A younger man who has sexual or romantic interactions with an (often) appreciably older woman, especially in a superficial or non-committal relationship. After her divorce, the actress was seen with several boy toys around town. Helen's boy toy stays over at her manse because she refuses to set foot in his frat house on campus.

See also: boy, toy

boys and their toys

An expression implying that grown men have a greater tendency than women to be preoccupied with or drawn to mechanical objects, such as cars, gadgets, power tools, etc. John spends every Saturday out working on his car. Boys and their toys, am I right?

See also: and, boy, toy

throw (one's) toys out of the pram

To behave in a petulantly upset or angry manner; to act like an angry child. Primarily heard in UK. Manchester United's star striker threw his toys out of the pram after he was ejected from the match for biting another player.

See also: of, out, throw, toy

have toys in the attic

To be crazy; to act, think, or behave in an eccentric, foolish, or nonsensical manner. Tommy must have toys in the attic if he thinks he can convince our mother to let him get a tattoo for his birthday. There's an old lady who stands on the corner yelling at strangers all day. I think she might have toys in the attic.

See also: attic, have, toy

toy boy

A young man who is in a sexual relationship with an older woman. Heather is having too much fun with her new toy boy to get involved in a serious relationship.

See also: boy, toy

like a kid with a new toy

Fig. very pleased; happily playing with something. Every time Bill gets a new gadget for his kitchen, he's like a kid with a new toy. Jane is absorbed in that computer. Just like a kid with a new toy.

See also: kid, like, new, toy

toy with someone

to tease someone; to deal lightly with someone's emotions. Ann broke up with Tom because he was just toying with her. He was not serious at all. Don't toy with me! I won't have it!

See also: toy

toy with something

to play with something; to fiddle with something. You are just toying with me! Please don't toy with the stereo controls.

See also: toy

toy with somebody

to encourage someone to believe you care about them when you do not Don't fool yourself by thinking he wants a serious relationship - he's famous for toying with women.

Related vocabulary: lead somebody on

See also: toy

toy with something

1. to think about something but not seriously We're toying with the idea of going to Peru next year.

2. to handle something or move it around without any clear purpose As he was speaking, he toyed nervously with a button on his jacket.

See also: toy

a toy boy

  (British, American & Australian informal) also a boy toy (American informal)

a young man who is having a sexual relationship with a woman who is much older than him Sheila's gone out rowing with Dieter, her new toy boy. These movie stars seem to have a new boy toy every week.

See also: boy, toy

toy with

1. Amuse oneself idly with, trifle, as in He teased her, toying with her as a cat toys with a mouse. [Early 1500s]

2. Treat casually or without seriousness, as in I'm toying with the idea of writing a novel. [Early 1800s]

See also: toy

toy with

v.

1. To amuse oneself idly by manipulating someone or something; trifle with someone or something: The cat toyed with the ball in its paws.

2. To treat something casually or without seriousness: I had toyed with the idea of going back to college, but I never actually applied.

See also: toy