prey
noun [ U or S ]
uk/preɪ/ ussomeone who can be easily deceived or harmed:
Children are seen as easy prey for this type of advertising.
FINANCE
a company that another, usually larger or stronger, company wants to buy or control :
The insurance company is in danger of changing from being predator to being prey.
See also
target company
Compare
predator
be/fall prey to sb/sth
to be harmed or deceived by someone or something :
The once-successful property development company has fallen prey to the current economic crisis.
FINANCE
to be bought by a larger, more powerful company or organization:
The bank seems likely to fall prey to a bigger organization.