trifling with

USAGE SUMMARY

"trifling with" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an attitude or behavior which is dismissive or contemptuous of something. For example, "He trifled with her concerns, never taking them seriously."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Film

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

The only way to stop teams from trifling with our emotions is to own them ourselves.

The New York Times

"I knew he was trifling with the students, either with promises or with actual deeds.

The New Yorker

Caddish and cunning, McBurney starts trifling with the attentions of different young women.

The Guardian - Film

License denied to a man charged with trifling with the affections of a female.

Cornell University

Trifling with a woman's self-perception is never a good idea.

The New York Times - Books

The wind always somewhere, trifling with the leaves, troubling the firelight.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

not to be trifled with.

Yale University

It is not to be trifled with.

The Guardian

Aunt Julia was not to be trifled with.

The Guardian - Arts

People not to be trifled with.

The Guardian

He's not one to be trifled with… No.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "trifling with" to express disapproval when someone isn't taking something seriously that warrants respect or careful consideration. For example, "The politician was accused of "trifling with" the voters' concerns."

Common error

Avoid using "trifling with" in situations that require a stronger term indicating severe harm or malicious intent. It's best suited for scenarios involving carelessness or disrespect, not outright abuse or destruction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trifling with" functions as a verb phrase + preposition, indicating an action of treating something without due seriousness or respect. Ludwig examples show it used to describe disrespect towards rules, people's feelings, or serious matters.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Academia

20%

Film

12%

Less common in

Books

12%

Science

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "trifling with" is a versatile phrase used to express disapproval or concern about someone's lack of seriousness or respect. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and appropriate for a wide range of contexts. While alternatives like "toying with" or "tampering with" exist, "trifling with" carries a unique connotation of disrespect or carelessness. It is most commonly found in News & Media and Academic contexts, further establishing its place in both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

toying with

Implies a playful or unserious engagement, differing in its connotation of amusement or experimentation.

tampering with

Suggests unauthorized or inappropriate alteration, focusing on the act of interfering rather than the lack of seriousness.

meddling with

Conveys unwanted intervention, highlighting the intrusion aspect more than the lack of respect.

fooling around with

Emphasizes frivolous or aimless behavior, adding a sense of lack of purpose.

playing with

Similar to toying, but can also suggest manipulation or deception, adding a negative connotation.

dabbling in

Implies superficial involvement, indicating a lack of commitment or deep understanding.

messing with

Informal and suggests interference, often with negative consequences or malicious intent.

disregarding

Focuses on ignoring or neglecting something important, rather than actively mishandling it.

disrespecting

Highlights a lack of reverence or consideration, emphasizing the emotional aspect of the mishandling.

underestimating

Suggests a failure to recognize the importance or difficulty of something, leading to inadequate handling.

FAQs

How can I use "trifling with" in a sentence?

You can use "trifling with" to describe someone who is not taking something seriously, such as "He was accused of "trifling with" the evidence" or "They are "trifling with" a dangerous situation".

What are some alternatives to "trifling with"?

Some alternatives to "trifling with" include "toying with", "tampering with", or "meddling with", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "trifling with" or "not to be trifled with"?

The choice depends on the context. "Trifling with" describes the act of disrespect or unseriousness, while "not to be trifled with" describes someone or something that should be treated with respect and caution.

What does it mean when someone is described as "not to be trifled with"?

If someone is described as "not to be trifled with", it means they are formidable and should be treated with respect. The phrase implies that any attempt to disrespect or challenge them will likely have negative consequences.