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

Invest to build new capabilities to mitigate longer-term threats and take advantage of longer-term opportunities. —George Bradt, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025

Either Hampton or Henderson would’ve filled a pressing need, but GM George Paton stuck to his board and took advantage of this running back class being one of the deepest in the last 20 years. —Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Apr. 2025

Yet, along with the positives that go along with this tactic, comes the opportunity for fake influencers to take advantage of small brands. —Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2025

Related article The Trump administration says Europe is taking advantage of the US. —Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 26 Apr. 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