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
Gunther poured it on, but CM Punk once again took advantage of an overconfident Gunther.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2025
But the Angels just never seem to take advantage of trade deadlines to improve their future, which is disappointing.
—Jim Bowden, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2025
Those ready to take advantage of the pet adoption perks provided by Clear the Shelters can find their perfect rescue pet match through cleartheshelters.com, which has a complete list of participating shelters and rescues.
—Kelli Bender, People.com, 1 Aug. 2025
Under the program, which is a pilot scheduled to last through the summer, ranchers may also take advantage of training and other assistance for ways to keep wolves from killing their livestock, Stoots said.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 1 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for take advantage of
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2025
But the Angels just never seem to take advantage of trade deadlines to improve their future, which is disappointing.
—Jim Bowden, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2025
Those ready to take advantage of the pet adoption perks provided by Clear the Shelters can find their perfect rescue pet match through cleartheshelters.com, which has a complete list of participating shelters and rescues.
—Kelli Bender, People.com, 1 Aug. 2025
Under the program, which is a pilot scheduled to last through the summer, ranchers may also take advantage of training and other assistance for ways to keep wolves from killing their livestock, Stoots said.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 1 Aug. 2025
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 5 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share