take advantage

Học thuật
Thân thiện
Definition
  1. Verb (transitive):
    • To exploit or use someone or something unfairly for one's own benefit: This meaning emphasizes using a person's kindness, resources, or a situation in a selfish, often unethical, way.
    • To utilize an opportunity or favorable circumstance effectively: This meaning focuses on benefiting from a chance or condition in a positive or neutral way.
Usage Examples
  • Verb (exploitative meaning):
    • It's not right to take advantage of her generosity.
    • The company was accused of taking advantage of vulnerable workers.
  • Verb (opportunistic meaning):
    • You should take advantage of the sunny weather and go for a walk.
    • He took advantage of the quiet morning to finish his report.
Advanced Usage
  • "to take advantage of someone's good nature": to exploit a person's inherent kindness.
    • He constantly takes advantage of his friend's good nature, always asking for favors.
  • "to take full advantage of": to utilize an opportunity to the greatest possible extent.
    • We took full advantage of the hotel's amenities during our stay.
Variants and Related Words
  • Advantageous (adj): involving or creating a favorable circumstance.
    • The new trade deal is advantageous for both countries.
  • Advantage (n): a condition or circumstance that puts one in a favorable position.
    • His height is an advantage in basketball.
Synonyms
  • Exploit: to use selfishly for one's own ends (for the negative sense).
  • Capitalize on: to use to one's advantage (often for the positive sense).
  • Utilize: to make practical use of (neutral).
Related Phrasal Verbs
  • Cash in on: to profit from, often in a way perceived as opportunistic.
    • The author cashed in on the sudden popularity of the genre.
  • Play on: to exploit a feeling or weakness.
    • The advertisement plays on people's fears of aging.
Related Idioms
  • To have the advantage of: to be in a superior position due to a specific factor.
    • You have the advantage of me, as you know my name but I don't know yours.
  • To turn something to one's advantage: to manage a situation so that it benefits you.
    • She turned the criticism to her advantage by using it to improve her project.
Verb
  1. make excessive use of
    • You are taking advantage of my good will!
    • She is trespassing upon my privacy
  2. draw advantages from
    • he is capitalizing on her mistake
    • she took advantage of his absence to meet her lover

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