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
Or for a longer trip, Heather Wassel, a travel designer who specializes in luxury Europe trips, recommends a trip that takes advantage of both Juneteenth and July 3.
—Natalie B. Compton The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 1 Feb. 2026
Things were handled differently at Texas Tech, a College Football Playoff school that boldly takes advantage of both the transfer portal and NIL money.
—Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 31 Jan. 2026
Joshua takes advantage of cold-shooting Cleburne Joshua took a leg up in staying in the running for the final playoff spot in District 8-5A with a 42-19 drubbing of Cleburne on Friday night at Cleburne High School.
—Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Jan. 2026
The spa Enchantment doesn’t have its own spa, but fear not, because merely steps away at the Mii Amo resort (also owned by the Enchantment Group) is an award-winning spa that Enchantment guests can take advantage of.
—Asonta Benetti, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Jan. 2026
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Natalie B. Compton The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 1 Feb. 2026
Things were handled differently at Texas Tech, a College Football Playoff school that boldly takes advantage of both the transfer portal and NIL money.
—Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 31 Jan. 2026
Joshua takes advantage of cold-shooting Cleburne Joshua took a leg up in staying in the running for the final playoff spot in District 8-5A with a 42-19 drubbing of Cleburne on Friday night at Cleburne High School.
—Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Jan. 2026
The spa Enchantment doesn’t have its own spa, but fear not, because merely steps away at the Mii Amo resort (also owned by the Enchantment Group) is an award-winning spa that Enchantment guests can take advantage of.
—Asonta Benetti, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Jan. 2026
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 1 Feb. 2026.
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