take advantage of an opportunity
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 take advantage of an opportunity、exploit a situation、take advantage of someone、capitalize on a situation [often negatively]
It means to seize an opportunity or take advantage of a situation, often in a way that feels opportunistic or unfair. It is commonly used when someone exploits another person’s weakness, confusion, or difficulty for personal gain.
take advantage of an opportunity、exploit a situation、take advantage of someone、capitalize on a situation [often negatively]
This describes using an opening, opportunity, or vulnerable situation to one’s advantage. It often carries a critical tone, closer to “take advantage of” or “exploit” than simply “make good use of an opportunity.”
Learning notes
Explanation
ฉวยโอกาส is made from ฉวย, “to snatch or seize,” and โอกาส, “opportunity.” Although it can literally suggest seizing a chance, in real use it often has a critical edge: using an opening, weakness, shortage, confusion, or someone’s difficult situation for one’s own benefit. It is stronger and less neutral than simply saying “use an opportunity.”
Usage
It is common in everyday conversation, news, workplace talk, and social issues when someone benefits from another person’s absence, weakness, confusion, a disaster, or a shortage. It is especially common in critical or accusatory contexts.
Caution
If you simply want to say “make use of this opportunity” in a positive or neutral way, ใช้โอกาส or ถือโอกาส is usually safer. Saying คุณฉวยโอกาส to someone can sound like a direct accusation.
Differences from similar words
1 take advantage of an opportunity synonyms
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เอาเปรียบ means to take unfair advantage of someone. ฉวยโอกาส focuses more on using a particular opportunity or situation as the opening for that unfair advantage.