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

Still, Trump’s drop in popularity nationally has boosted Democrats’ hopes, and the party hopes to take advantage of a recent shift in Kansas politics. — John Hanna, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2026

Customers can choose from a large variety of frames and mats and take advantage of retouching, mounting, and glazing options. — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 3 Nov. 2026

The Irish have taken advantage of an easy schedule this year, going 7-1 with wins over Wisconsin, Rice, Michigan State, Purdue, North Carolina, Stanford and Navy. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 2026

The first person to take advantage of the legislation was NASA astronaut David Wolf, who cast his ballot from Russia's Mir space station that same year. — Mike Wall, Space.com, 3 Nov. 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