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

So mark your calendars for October Prime Day ahead of time and take advantage of these head-start discounts before they’re gone! —Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 30 Sep. 2024

That play gave Green Bay hope, and the Packers were able to take advantage of a Flores decision to play a prevent defense with a huge fourth-quarter rally that enabled them to threaten the Vikings and come within two points at 31-29. —Steve Silverman, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024

Recruiters recently told Fortune potential employers will take advantage of panicking individuals and lowball them with salaries, or be concerned that the candidate is applying for a raft of jobs instead of roles they’re truly suited for. —Byeleanor Pringle, Fortune, 28 Sep. 2024

The idea was to get familiar with such a huge canvas and try to take advantage of it and figure out what would be the best tool for that. —Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 28 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1618, in the meaning defined at sense 1