1.
to exploit someone's weakness; to take advantage of a vulnerability
To take unfair advantage of another person's vulnerable position, difficult circumstances, or shortcomings for one's own benefit. Always carries a negative, morally critical connotation.
He exploited the other party's weakness to steer the negotiations in his favor.
An idiomatic expression meaning to take unfair advantage of someone's vulnerable position. Always carries a negative connotation — it implies underhanded or morally questionable behavior.
Usage
The person whose weakness is being exploited is marked with の:
付け込む is a godan verb (込む conjugation), so the expression conjugates at the end: 付け込んだ, 付け込まない, etc.
Common collocations
- 人の弱みに付け込む: to exploit someone's weakness
- 相手の弱みに付け込む: to take advantage of the opponent's vulnerability
- 立場の弱みに付け込む: to exploit someone's weak position