N112/186

をいいことに

Noun + をいいことにするNoun + をいいことにして (〜する)

Meanings

  • to take advantage of
  • to use something as a excuse or reason to do something bad
  • to exploit a situation for one's own benefit

About this pattern

Explanation

をいいことに is used when someone exploits a favorable circumstance, an excuse, or another person's vulnerability to justify or carry out an action—often with a negative or disapproving nuance. It suggests that the action is taken not on its own merits, but by taking advantage of the situation or someone’s weakness. It can imply blame or criticism of the person who uses the situation for their own benefit.

Learn in context

Example sentences

彼は私のミスをいいことにして、責任を私に押し付けた。

He used my mistake as an excuse to pin the blame on me.

彼女は私の遅刻をいいことにして、会議を長引かせた。

She used my lateness as a pretext to stretch the meeting.

彼は私の年齢をいいことにして、上から目線で指示してくる。

He takes advantage of my age and talks down to me.

子どもたちは親の心配をいいことにして、夜更かしをしている。

The children are staying up late by taking advantage of their parents' concern.

彼女は私の優しさをいいことにして、何度もお願いを断ってくる。

She takes advantage of my kindness and repeatedly asks me to do things I don’t want to do.