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
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
The Belfast Telegraph OnlineExamples of take advantage of in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
After a whirlwind weekend of concerts and caravans, Monday offered a change of pace — a chance to slow down, soak in the beauty of Puerto Rico, and finally take advantage of our hotel.
—Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 21 July 2025
Alex Altmann, partner at accounting firm Lubbock Fine and VP of the British Chamber of Commerce in Germany, said that some EU manufacturers were considering moving their assembly lines to the U.K. to try to take advantage of its existing 10% agreement.
—Jenni Reid, CNBC, 19 July 2025
Millions of Americans take advantage of depreciation to find used car, truck, and SUV deals.
—Charles Singh, The Tennessean, 18 July 2025
San Diego developer Christian Spicer is behind dozens of projects that take advantage of a generous city bonus ADU incentive, packing as many as dozens of units onto single-family lots.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for take advantage of
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 21 July 2025
Alex Altmann, partner at accounting firm Lubbock Fine and VP of the British Chamber of Commerce in Germany, said that some EU manufacturers were considering moving their assembly lines to the U.K. to try to take advantage of its existing 10% agreement.
—Jenni Reid, CNBC, 19 July 2025
Millions of Americans take advantage of depreciation to find used car, truck, and SUV deals.
—Charles Singh, The Tennessean, 18 July 2025
San Diego developer Christian Spicer is behind dozens of projects that take advantage of a generous city bonus ADU incentive, packing as many as dozens of units onto single-family lots.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for take advantage of
Cite this Entry
“Take advantage of.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20advantage%20of. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share