1.
to take advantage of, to exploit
To exploit someone's weakness, kindness, or a situation for one's own benefit. Carries a negative connotation of unfair or opportunistic behavior.
人の弱みに付け込む。
To exploit someone's weakness.
優しさに付け込まれて、断れなかった。
Someone took advantage of my kindness and I couldn't refuse.
相手の不注意に付け込んで、一気に攻めた。
I seized on my opponent's carelessness and launched an all-out attack.
CONJUGATION:
- 付け込まない（否定）
- 付け込みます（丁寧）
- 付け込んで（て形）
- 付け込んだ（過去）
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 〜に付け込む: to take advantage of ~
- 弱みに付け込む: to exploit a weakness
- 隙に付け込む: to exploit an opening
- 善意に付け込む: to take advantage of goodwill
NOTE: Not to be confused with 漬け込む (to pickle, to marinate), which is a homophone with a completely different meaning.
Related Words
Homophone:
漬け込む (to marinate)