take advantage of

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

CoreWeave has pulled back due to concerns over its massive debt load, and investors should take advantage of the discount, according to UBS. — Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 23 Sep. 2026

In 2007, new evidence suggested that life might accomplish this feat by taking advantage of a quantum effect called coherence. — Elise Cutts, Quanta Magazine, 23 Sep. 2026

To maximize results and minimize downtime, take advantage of the Korean preference for stacking treatments. — Anna Haines, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Sep. 2026

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is in the midst of an election campaign, will take advantage of his 15 minutes on the world stage— later Thursday — to defend his record on Iran and Gaza. — Michele Kelemen, NPR, 21 Sep. 2026

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