trade on/upon something phrasal verb (see also trade)
to use a situation or someone’s kindness in order to get an advantage for yourself:
If you ask me, they’re just trading on Sam’s good nature.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

trade on
trade on (something)
to use something for your own advantage.
The mayoral candidate ran the kind of campaign that trades on most people's fear of crime.

George traded upon his family's powerful connections.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

trade on something
trade on (something)
to use something for your own advantage.
The mayoral candidate ran the kind of campaign that trades on most people's fear of crime.

George traded upon his family's powerful connections.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

trade on
to use a fact or a situation to one's advantage
The woman trades on her beauty and never helps other people.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

trade on something
to use a fact or a situation to one's advantage
The woman trades on her beauty and never helps other people.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

trade on
v. To use as a way of helping yourself.
The coach traded on the pitcher's weakness for left-handed batters by using all his southpaws.
The senator's son traded on his father's name when he ran for mayor.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲