boy toy

A younger man who has sexual or romantic interactions with an 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 always comes over to her apartment because she refuses to set foot in his frat house on campus. That guy is way too young for her, so I doubt they're a serious item. He's probably just a boy toy, a fling.

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? I couldn't care less about having a riding lawn mower, but you know boys and their toys. My husband's obsessed with the thing. A: "Let's leave the guys down here to discuss power tools because I have no clue what they're talking about." B: "I hear ya. Boys and their toys!"

chuck (one's) toys out of the cot

To behave in a petulantly upset or angry manner; to act like an angry child. Primarily heard in UK. Manchester United's star striker chucked his toys out of the cot after he was ejected from the match for biting another player. Tom always chucks his toys out of the cot like a big baby whenever the boss doesn't go along with one of his ideas. Any time I beat my brother at anything, he chucks his toys out of the cot. Like, get over it, loser!

chuck (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 chucked his toys out of the pram after he was ejected from the match for biting another player. Tom always chucks his toys out of the pram like a big baby whenever the boss doesn't go along with one of his ideas. Any time I beat my brother at anything, he chucks his toys out of the pram. Like, get over it, loser!

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. You can't tell people you want to start a business selling bees as pets—they'll think you have toys in the attic!

like a kid with a new toy

Excessively excited about or fixated on something, typically something new one has acquired. Janet's like a kid with a new toy whenever she upgrades her phone—she's been there fiddling with it all day long. Would you quit messing around with the controls of the car—you're like a kid with a new toy!

throw (one's) toys out of the cot

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 cot after he was ejected from the match for biting another player.

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.

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.

toy with (one's) emotions

To influence or manipulate the way one feels, especially romantically, for the sake of idle amusement or personal satisfaction. Please, don't toy with my emotions like this—just tell me whether I got into Harvard or not! I don't think she's actually interested in him at all. I think she just likes toying with his emotions.

toy with (one's) feelings

To influence or manipulate the way one feels, especially romantically, for the sake of idle amusement or personal satisfaction. Please, don't toy with my feelings like this—just tell me whether I got into Harvard or not! I don't think she's actually interested in him at all. I think she just likes toying with his feelings.

toy with (someone or something)

1. To consider or think about an idea or plan. I've been toying with the idea of starting my own business.

2. To deliberately attempt to evade, deceive, or misinform someone (about something) in order to manipulate them or achieve some desired outcome. Quit toying with me, Karen—I know that you're involved in this deal! The serial killer is toying with the police, leaving false clues everywhere to muddy the investigation.

3. To tease someone. I'm just toying with you, James—I really do like that jacket.

4. To treat something as a plaything in order to idly amuse oneself. Cats are known for toying with their prey. I don't think she's actually interested in him at all. I think she just likes toying with his emotions.

See also: toy

toy with the idea (of doing something)

To consider or muse over some idea or plan. I've been toying with the idea of starting my own business. I don't think I would ever really move to Europe, but I've toyed with the idea.

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.

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

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

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

throw your toys out of the pram

If someone throws their toys out of the pram, they express their anger or disappointment in a childish way. They say he may have thrown his toys out of the pram after being made to report to Smith. Note: Words for names of toys are often used instead of toys with the same meaning. I for one, will certainly not be crying into my beer or throwing my rattle out of the pram. I hope that your girlfriend is prepared to stand up to you as you throw your dummy out of the pram.

throw your toys out of the pram

have a temper tantrum. British informal

2005 Hecklerspray Some might suggest that for Oprah to throw her toys out of the pram because a French woman told her she couldn't look at some clothes comes across as…just a little arrogant.

toy with

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

boy toy

An attractive younger man who is linked with an older woman, for social activities, sexual favors, or the like. In effect he is the counterpart of a sugar daddy. This slangy term dates from about 1980 and may be used disparagingly or admiringly, depending on the context. A headline in the magazine Maxim ran “Be Her Boy Toy: Younger Guys and Older Women” (June 2004). The term, which is on its way to becoming a cliché, may also be applied to a homosexual relationship, that is, a younger man kept by an older man. It is also put as toy boy.