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

On the other hand, if green agents get pushed out of the profession, that will mean fewer opportunities for the pros to take advantage of them. —Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 14 Nov. 2024

Overnight and into Monday morning, fire crews took advantage of favorable conditions, building up the containment line around the blaze. —Patrick Smith, NBC News, 12 Nov. 2024

The Saratoga Springs resort was soon built to take advantage of the area’s mineral waters. —Yan Zhao, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024

To register as well as secure a ticket to the Industry Insight Series and take advantage of pre-event pricing, click here. —Sj Studio, Sourcing Journal, 5 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1618, in the meaning defined at sense 1