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

That lack of federal action could be leaving the door open for more bad actors to take advantage of the political moment to target immigrants, some lawmakers warn. —Allison Gordon, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025

Some states, including California, New York, Maine, Georgia, and New Mexico, still have benefits that locals can take advantage of as well. —Sara Kiley Watson, Popular Science, 2 Oct. 2025

Sogard sliced a base hit to center and took advantage of Judge’s arm, speeding to second on what should have been a single. —Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025

As online fundraisers are surfacing, Grand Blanc Township Police Chief William Renye said people looking to support the victims should be careful of scams looking to take advantage of people eager to donate. —Natalie Davies, Freep.com, 1 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