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
Biden, 81, has stayed quiet about Trump’s trial so far, and according to the Associated Press, a Biden adviser told reporters that the campaign wasn’t there to talk about the trial, but rather to take advantage of the major media focus on the legal proceedings.
—Kirsty Hatcher, Peoplemag, 28 May 2024
In addition to the roughly two dozen audits of people taking advantage of the Puerto Rican tax break, the I.R.S. has said its criminal division identified about 100 people who may have committed tax evasion.
—Jesse Drucker, New York Times, 28 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for take advantage of 
Kirsty Hatcher, Peoplemag, 28 May 2024
In addition to the roughly two dozen audits of people taking advantage of the Puerto Rican tax break, the I.R.S. has said its criminal division identified about 100 people who may have committed tax evasion.
—Jesse Drucker, New York Times, 28 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for take advantage of
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'take advantage of.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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“Take advantage of.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20advantage%20of. Accessed 1 Jun. 2024.
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