take advantage

phraseB22 meaningsNot compared — the two pools are counted one word at a time, so a phrase has no score

To take advantage is to make use of something while you have the chance. The sun is out, the shop is empty, the ticket is free — go.

One phrase, two moral temperatures, and the object tells you which. Take advantage of a thing is good sense: of the sunshine, of a quiet morning. Take advantage of a person is exploitation, and it is the harder of the two, because nothing in the words warns you which you are hearing. It always takes of, and dropping that of is the commonest mistake made with it.

Definitions of take advantage

1phrasetake advantageTo make good use of a chance.B2
“You should take advantage of the free ticket.”
2phraseexploitTo exploit somebody who cannot easily object.B2
“Some landlords take advantage of students who do not know the rules.”

take advantage is an act of using an opportunity.

Practised in Common Word Pairs

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take advantage

phraseB22 meaningsNot compared — the two pools are counted one word at a time, so a phrase has no score

To take advantage is to make use of something while you have the chance. The sun is out, the shop is empty, the ticket is free — go.

Definitions of take advantage

1phrasetake advantageTo make good use of a chance.B2
“You should take advantage of the free ticket.”
2phraseexploitTo exploit somebody who cannot easily object.B2
“Some landlords take advantage of students who do not know the rules.”

take advantage is an act of using an opportunity.

Practised in Common Word Pairs

Practise this word