What does the phrasal verb “trade upon” mean?

What are the definitions of “trade upon”?

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

• 1. Exploit, use to your advantage.

  They TRADE UPON their reputation to scare rivals.

What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “trade upon”?

The most common meaning of the phrasal verb trade upon is to exploit or use something to your advantage. It often refers to using a positive quality, such as a good reputation, to gain an advantage in a situation.

What are the different verb forms of “trade upon”?

Root Verb	trade upon
Third Person Singular Present	trades upon
Present Participle	trading upon
Simple Past	traded upon
Past Participle	traded upon

Example

They trade upon their reputation to scare rivals.

Example

She trades upon her charm to get what she wants.

Example

He is trading upon his connections to secure a job.

Example

The company traded upon its brand name to attract customers.

Example

Their success was traded upon by others who wanted to benefit from it.

What kind of phrasal verb is “trade upon”?

📝

Notes from a Native English Speaker

What is a transitive and intransitive verb?
- A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.)
- An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)

Transitive verb

“trade upon” is a transitive phrasal verb because it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object specifies what is being removed, obtained, or eliminated.

Example

The politician traded upon his popularity to win the election.

Example

The salesman traded upon his persuasive skills to close the deal.

📝

Notes from a Native English Speaker

What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb?
- A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle.
- An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.

Inseparable

“trade upon” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.

Example

The politician traded upon his popularity to win the election.

Example

The salesman traded upon his persuasive skills to close the deal.

What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “trade upon”?

Trade upon someone's trust

Exploit someone's trust or confidence in you for personal gain.

Example

He traded upon his friend's trust to borrow money and never paid it back.

Trade upon a weakness

Exploit a weakness or vulnerability in a person or situation.

Example

The con artist traded upon the victim's naivety to steal their money.

Trade upon a strength

Use a personal strength or skill to gain an advantage.

Example

The athlete traded upon her speed to win the race.

Good things to know

Does “trade upon” have an informal or formal tone?

Trade upon is a neutral phrasal verb that can be used in both informal and formal contexts. It is appropriate for everyday conversations, as well as more formal settings, such as business meetings or academic discussions.

What are synonyms of antonyms to the phrasal verb “trade upon”?

Synonyms

• exploit
• utilize
• leverage
• capitalize on
• take advantage of
• benefit from
• profit from
• make use of

Antonyms

• ignore
• neglect
• overlook
• underestimate
• disregard
• waste
• misuse
• undervalue