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

But as those areas empty out, bears are moving in, taking advantage of the new real estate. —Hanako Montgomery, CNN Money, 11 Dec. 2025

The bills are designed to prevent the president, executive branch officials and members of Congress from taking advantage of their positions for personal benefit. —Christa Swanson, CBS News, 11 Dec. 2025

New users looking to get in on the action for the upcoming Falcons vs Buccaneers clash can take advantage of an exclusive welcome bonus with the Sleeper promo code NEWSWEEKXL. —Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025

Some of Aikman’s latest thoughts about the college game centered on the growing number of players who have taken advantage of the transfer portal in today’s polarizing NIL landscape. —Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 10 Dec. 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