To use for one's own advantage.
The word "exploit" is correct and usable in written English. It can be used to describe a situation where someone takes unfair advantage of a situation for their own gain. For example, "The company exploited the lack of regulation in their industry to increase their profits.".
Even so, there have been initiatives such as the business bank, the cuts in corporation tax, the tax breaks for companies that exploit patents, the catapult centres to encourage exploitation of spinoffs from universities, that may improve Britain's industrial performance given time.
One way or another the major UK parties have been pretty rough in their election campaign efforts to neutralise or exploit the likely consequences on Westminster of an SNP-dominated contingent from Scotland.
Most students are first-time house hunters and unfortunately there are landlords who will exploit their naivety.
Under his long stewardship, Luxembourg became Europe's wealthiest country, one of the richest in the world in per capita terms, as well as a bastion of banking secrecy and a tax haven for multinationals keen to exploit the EU's single market while minimising their contributions to the European exchequer.
McDonald's is accused of channelling money through a Luxembourg-based subsidiary with a Swiss branch to exploit a generous tax break on intellectual property rights.
Woodside Petroleum, which wanted to exploit the field, was working closely with the Howard government during the talks.
Perhaps Ukip will slice the rightwing vote in two, leaving the nearest left-leaning candidate open to exploit the schism.
When I feel like I can't trust my brain 100%, Ludwig really comes in handy. It makes me translate and proofread faster and my output more reliable.
Claudia Letizia
Head Translator and Proofreader @ organictranslations.eu