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advantage
*the advantage of someone
and *the advantage over someone; *an advantage over someone; *the advantage over someone; *the edge on someone; *the edge over someone a position superior to that of someone else; a status wherein one controls or has superiority or authority over someone else. (*Typically: get ~; give someone ~; have ~.) She'd gotten an advantage over me at the start of the competition. I got an edge on Sally, too, and she came in second.
culturally advantaged
Euph. rich; upper-class. I can't deny I had a culturally advantaged upbringing. The charity appealed to culturally advantaged people to donate time and money to those less fortunate.
show something to good advantage
to display the best features of something; to display something so that its best features are apparent. Put the vase in the center of the table and show it to good advantage. Having and using a large vocabulary shows your intelligence to good advantage.
take advantage of someone
1. to deceive someone. I knew that you wouldn't take advantage of me! I trusted you. Please don't take advantage of me the way you took advantage of Carl.
2. to impose on someone. I am glad to have your help. I hope I am not taking advantage of you. I am glad to do it. You are not taking advantage of me.
take advantage of someone or something
to utilize someone or something to the fullest extent. Try to take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way. Please take advantage of the consultant while she is here in the office.
turn something to one's advantage
to make an advantage for oneself out of something (which might otherwise be a disadvantage). Sally found a way to turn the problem to her advantage. The ice cream store manager was able to turn the hot weather to her advantage.
take advantage (of something)
also take full advantage (of something) to use an opportunity to get or achieve something
He took advantage of the prison's education program to earn a college degree. There are peaches and strawberries grown on the farm, and I sure take full advantage of them. Usage notes: often said of someone who has opportunities that others do not have: The rich can take advantage of clever accounting tricks to avoid taxes.
take advantage (of somebody)
to use someone's weakness to improve your own situation Mr. Smith often takes advantage of my friendship and leaves the unpleasant tasks for me to do.
to advantage
in a way that helps you We had to learn to use the landscape to advantage in combat. She chose a dress that would show her fine figure to advantage.
get the advantage of
Also,
get or have the advantage over . Be in a superior position to, as in
He had the advantage over me, since I couldn't even remember his name, let alone his position . [Mid-1500s] Also see
get the better of;
get the drop on.
show to advantage
Also, show to good or one's advantage . Display in a flattering way, benefit, as in This lighting shows the paintings to advantage, or Your extensive use of quotations shows your learning to good advantage. [Mid-1300s]
take advantage of
Put to good use; avail oneself of; also, profit selfishly by, exploit. For example, Let's take advantage of the good weather and go hiking, or They really take advantage of her good nature, getting her to do all the disagreeable chores . [Late 1300s]
take advantage of
1. To put to good use; avail oneself of: take advantage of all educational opportunities.
2. To make use of for selfish reasons; achieve a selfish goal by exploiting: took advantage of him by leaving him with the bill; took advantage of his unsuspecting nature.
3. To seduce.
to advantage
To good effect; favorably: The roses were displayed to advantage in a blue vase.