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

This helps ensure success and ultimately leads to the profitability of the endeavor, enabling the organization to predict and adapt to changes in the environment and position itself to take advantage of future opportunities. —Richard Okon, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024

But in that miscue, Johnson saw an opportunity to take advantage of the Bears defense. —Jon Greenberg, The Athletic, 22 Dec. 2024

The lower level takes advantage of the sloping lot to include a large window in a nicely finished room. —James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 22 Dec. 2024

Hope & Main This downtown Providence mainstay, steps from The Beatrice, is the first stop each morning for locals who take advantage of convenient grab-and-go items or sit down for a more leisurely breakfast. —Pat Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 22 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1618, in the meaning defined at sense 1