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

Even if their small military facilities, colloquially known as armories, had physically centralized fitness resources and equipment, many would be unable to take advantage of them. —Davis Winkie, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025

Those trying out the sport for the first time can take advantage of Mount Peter’s free beginner lessons on weekends and holidays, less than a one-and-a-half-hour drive from Times Square. —Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 23 Oct. 2025

For the really valuable daily must-haves, there’s also an internal pocket at the chest (also lined with fleece) to take advantage of. —Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2025

Still, there’s precedent for companies taking advantage of tariff refunds. —Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 23 Oct. 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