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 casual sit-down restaurants are taking advantage of customers’ skepticism of fast food companies. —Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 21 June 2024

Your wallet will certainly thank you for taking advantage of Celestyal’s promotions. —Kyler Alvord, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 June 2024

Previous shows in the main theater have taken advantage of drone technology, laser lights and suspension wires. —Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel, 20 June 2024

Boys take advantage of the relative calm to cool off in the Kharkiv River. —Richard Engel, NBC News, 20 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1618, in the meaning defined at sense 1