Taking Advantage: English Vocabulary List

to maximize one's current advantage or position of strength in a particular situation

"Press home your advantage now."

"With the opponent exhausted, the team decided to press home their advantage and score more goals."

to take advantage of or become involved in an activity that someone else has started in an attempt to achieve the same amount of success or profit

"They got in on the act."

"Seeing the success of the new cafe, other entrepreneurs quickly got in on the act."

to make effort to turn a difficult situation in one's favor

"He fished in troubled waters."

"The lawyer tried to fish in troubled waters by offering his services to the distressed company."

to desire to have two things that are impossible to have without sacrificing the other

"You can't have cake and eat it."

"He wants to save money but also buy expensive gadgets; he cannot have his cake and eat it too."

to know the exact way to treat others or how to act so as to get what one desires

"He knows which side his bread is buttered on."

"He always agrees with the boss because he knows which side his bread is buttered on and wants to keep his job."

to benefit from two opposing or contradictory situations or options at the same time

"You cannot have it both ways."

"You cannot have it both ways you must choose between the two options available to you."

to take advantage of someone who is easily tricked instead of giving them a fair chance

"Don't give him an even break."

"The experienced salesman refused to give the naive customer an even break, selling him an overpriced product."

to treat someone in such a kind and generous manner that they become greedy and ungrateful to one

"Don't give her an inch."

"If you give him an inch, he will take a mile and demand even more unreasonable concessions."

used to ask if someone wants extra or additional benefits or features, often in a playful manner

"Want jam on it?"

"You've already got the promotion and a raise; do you really want jam on it with a corner office too?"