GRAMMAR DETAIL
〜を逆手に取って
Indicates using an apparently unfavorable condition or another person's action to one's own advantage.
Examples
弱点を逆手に取って、独自の戦略を構想した。
Turning the weakness to our advantage, we devised a unique strategy.
Words used
不利な条件を逆手に取って、新しい方法を考えた。
We turned the unfavorable conditions to our advantage and came up with a new method.
Words used
Study notes
1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning
- Structure: Attach
を逆手に取ってto a noun to describe turning an apparently unfavorable condition or another person's action to one's advantage. - Basic usage:
不利な条件を逆手に取って、新しい方法を考えた。describes using unfavorable conditions to devise a new method.
2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions
- Reading the expression
- Here
逆手is readさかて, givingさかてにとって.
- Here
- Focus compared with 利用して
経験を利用してdescribes using experience as a resource. The key in弱点を逆手に取ってis the reversal: turning an apparent weakness into a strategic advantage.