exploit

Everyday

1. (verb) To use someone unfairly for your own gain, like paying workers too little or tricking children. tree →
2. (verb) To make full use of something, such as resources or a chance. tree →
3. (noun) A brave, exciting or daring deed, an adventure. tree →
4. (computing) A trick or piece of code that uses a weakness in a program. tree →

In the lessons

In history and citizenship, factory owners exploited child workers; in online safety, bad people may try to exploit children, so tell a trusted adult. In geography, countries exploit oil or coal. In stories, «the hero's exploits» are adventures. In games, an exploit is a glitch players use to cheat. Phrases: «exploit a weakness», «exploit workers», «daring exploits».

Examples

• Factory owners once exploited children by making them work long hours. tree →
• The team exploited the gap in the defence. tree →
• The country exploits its forests for wood. tree →
• We read about Robin Hood's exploits. tree →
• Never let anyone online exploit you; tell an adult. tree →
• Hackers used an exploit to break into the game. tree →
• She exploited every chance to practise. tree →
• Heracles (whose world-renowned exploits will be related among the legends) was the son of Alcmene and Zeus. tree →

Note

Verb stressed «ex-PLOIT»; noun stressed «EX-ploit». Noun: exploitation (unfair use). Using an exploit in an online game may break its rules and get you banned.