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

Travelers who hold multiple eligible cards may take advantage of each card’s individual visit allotment. —Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 3 Feb. 2025

The idea was for Thompson to spend his mid-30s taking advantage of the open 3-point looks Dončić and Kyrie Irving are so good at creating. —Christian Clark, The Athletic, 3 Feb. 2025

This year, as viewers catch the Kansas City Chiefs face off against the Philadelphia Eagles, and see Kendrick Lamar’s halftime performance, brands taking advantage of the huge captive audience are estimated to have paid some hefty prices. —Bruce Gil, Quartz, 2 Feb. 2025

That gave the nod to Darnold, who took advantage of the opportunity and had, by far, the best season of his career. —Ryan Morik, Fox News, 1 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1618, in the meaning defined at sense 1