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

How to Propagate Roses the Right Way Taking hardwood rose cuttings in winter gives plants more time to establish a sturdy root system and is a great way to take advantage of slow winter days when there’s little to do in the garden. —Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 10 Jan. 2026

Zelenskyy said that Russia was aiming to take advantage of the frigid weather in the capital, which made roads and streets icy. —Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 9 Jan. 2026

Sales are truly rare here, so take advantage of discounts up to a whopping 70 percent off. —Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026

But the coastal town is stunning year-round and stays warm through the spring and fall, so visitors may want to take advantage of pleasant shoulder-season days on the coast. —Liz Provencher, Travel + Leisure, 9 Jan. 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