What does "feed on" mean?

Eat a particular food regularly. For example: Owls feed on mice.

feed on

phrasal verb·1 sense·particle on

Meanings

Why “on”? An action is directed onto a person, thing or weakness as its target.

“Owls feed on mice.”

Owls regularly eat mice as their food.

“Whales feed on tiny sea animals.”

Whales regularly eat tiny sea animals as their food.

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“Owls feed on mice.” What does it mean?

Nearby in the meaning map

Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.

cheat on

Same on pattern: target

Be unfaithful to a partner

dote on

Same on pattern: target

Show extreme affection toward someone

fall on

Same on pattern: target

Attack someone fiercely

feast on

Same on pattern: target

Eat a large amount of a particular food with enjoyment

frown on

Same on pattern: target

Disapprove of something

gang up on

Same on pattern: target

Join together as a group to threaten or attack one person

lean on

Same on pattern: target

Pressure someone strongly to do something

operate on

Same on pattern: target

Perform surgery on someone

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