take advantage of

idiomatic phrase

1

: to make good use of (something) : to profit by (something)

take advantage of an opportunity

We took advantage of the warm weather and did some yard work.

2

a

: to impose on (someone) : to ask for or expect more than is fair or reasonable from (someone)

After a while, I began to think she was taking advantage of me.

He felt like he'd been taken advantage of.

b

: to use (something or someone) unfairly for personal gain

He took advantage of [=exploited] my lack of experience.

It adds that young people in care homes, with learning disabilities, those excluded from school or using drugs or alcohol are particularly vulnerable to being targeted by people who take advantage of them for money, food or drugs.

—Stephen Naysmith

c

: to exploit (someone) sexually

The star shared her experiences of Hollywood bosses who tried to take advantage of her in the early days of her career.

—The Belfast Telegraph Online

Examples of take advantage of in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As demand increased, American producers took advantage of vodka’s popularity by creating a U.S. label to compete with the Russian brands holding the market. —Jillian Dara, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025

Newcastle’s Alexander Isak took advantage of that in January’s first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final, for example. —Jordan Campbell, The Athletic, 22 Mar. 2025

DoorDash customers will be able to take advantage of the new partnership in the coming months, the company said in a news release. —Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2025

Investors in workplace plans like 401(k) plans unconsciously take advantage of stock selloffs via dollar-cost averaging. —Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 21 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1618, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for take advantage of

• above
• foxglove
• hereof
• thereof
• whereof
• dove
• glove
• love
• shove
• hereinabove