From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishtoy with somebody/something phrasal verb1 THINK ABOUTto think about an idea or possibility, usually for a short time and not very seriouslytoy with the idea of doing something I’ve been toying with the idea of going to Japan to visit them.2 HOLDto keep moving and touching an object or food He spoke casually and toyed with his pen. Laura was toying with her food and looking increasingly bored.3 to lie to someone or trick them, for example saying that you love them when you do not → toy→ See Verb table
Examples from the Corpus
toy with the idea of doing something• Even Serrano was beginning to toy with the idea of a monarchist restoration, albeit under Falangist tutelage.• Hellman recalls that they were both toying with the idea of a western and talked to Corman about the finance.• I did actually toy with the idea of calling myself Coma Toes or something for my last album.• Many owners toy with the idea of breeding their own foal from a much-loved mare.toying with ... food• We sat there toying with our food.• He was conscious of the fact that Madeleine was toying with her food and looking increasingly bored.• Polly would sit there toying with her food thinking, not bad looking, good manners but he's alone. 