Take Advantage
/teɪk ədˈvæn.tɪdʒ/noun
To use a situation, opportunity, or person for one’s benefit, sometimes unfairly.
Did you know?In older English, “advantage” primarily meant a favorable position or superiority, while its modern sense of exploiting someone developed later.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
Proto-Germanic
*tēkaną
“To touch, reach, or take; the ancestral source of English “take” through Scandinavian influence.”
Old Norse
Old Norse
taka
“To take, grasp, or seize; this form strongly influenced the English verb.”
Latin
Latin
ab ante
“From before or from in front; the source of the idea underlying “advantage.””
12th–13th Century
Old French
avantage
“A favorable position, superiority, or benefit; literally connected with being ahead.”
14th Century
Middle English
avantage
“A benefit or positional superiority, adopted into English from French.”
Modern English
English
take advantage
“To use an opportunity or person for one’s own benefit; the phrase may be neutral or imply unfair exploitation.”
Explore more surprising origins