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
At Cannes this year, India is pitching itself as a location for international productions hoping to take advantage of the country’s exotic locales, more affordable labor costs, and its workforce that has plenty of experience making movies.
—Mathew Scott, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 May 2024
Guests can take advantage of the major perks situated on their doorstep.
—Stacey Wreathall and Dafydd Gwyon, Travel + Leisure, 15 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for take advantage of 
Mathew Scott, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 May 2024
Guests can take advantage of the major perks situated on their doorstep.
—Stacey Wreathall and Dafydd Gwyon, Travel + Leisure, 15 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.
Dictionary Entries Near 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 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share