take advantage of

VERB

[/teɪk ədˈvæntɪdʒ ʌv/]

to use a situation or opportunity for your own benefit, sometimes unfairly

💡 Concept

Smart shoppers take advantage of the half-price sale before everything sells out.

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/teɪk ədˈvæntɪdʒ ʌv/

🇬🇧 UK/teɪk ədˈvɑːntɪdʒ ɒv/

🌳Etymology

Roottake

Origin

From Old French 'avantage' (advantage) meaning superiority or benefit, combined with the verb 'take' from Old English 'tacan'. The phrase emerged in Middle English as a way to express seizing or utilizing a favorable circumstance.

Breakdown

take (seize, grasp) + advantage (superiority, benefit from Old French 'avant' meaning before/ahead) + of (preposition indicating use or application) = to seize or utilize a beneficial situation

🎵Rhyme

managedamagepackage

manage

damage

package

🔗Collocations

take advantage of the opportunity

take advantage of someone's kindness

take full advantage of

take unfair advantage

take advantage of the situation

take advantage of technology

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“My boss always takes advantage of my good nature and gives me extra work.”

“Students should take advantage of free library resources.”

😄 Fun example

“He took advantage of the traffic jam to catch up on his podcast.”

“Don't let people take advantage of your generosity.”

📚Related Words

Synonyms

exploitutilizecapitalize onmake use ofbenefit from

Antonyms

ignorewasteneglect

opportunitybenefitexploitabuseutilize

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take advantage of — to use a situation or opportunity for your own benefit, sometimes unfairly

Example Sentences