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

Other industries that have also taken advantage of young people’s vulnerability with similar business models have been regulated to some degree, Sunderland said, citing the example of the tobacco or alcohol industries being required to put warning labels on products. —Shanzeh Ahmad, Chicago Tribune, 10 May 2025

This cash hoard provides flexibility to take advantage of opportunities, including repurchasing its stock if the price declines to attractive levels. —Bill Stone, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025

Ray didn’t change anything to take advantage of the wind, though, sticking with the original game plan. —Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 8 May 2025

Miller takes advantage of the protagonist’s unusual name — Hornbuckle — with its auto imagery. —Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 8 May 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