Tantalize refers to the act of teasing or tempting someone by presenting something desirable but keeping it out of reach. The term originates from the Greek myth of Tantalus, a figure punished by the gods to stand eternally in a pool of water beneath a fruit tree. Whenever he reached for the fruit, it would recede, and when he bent down to drink, the water would vanish. In modern usage, tantalizing can describe anything that provokes interest or desire, such as a delicious meal that looks appealing but is not yet served. It often conveys a sense of longing or frustration due to the unattainable nature of the object of desire.