TO ADVANTAGE

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does to advantage mean? 

• TO ADVANTAGE (adverb)
  The adverb TO ADVANTAGE has 1 sense:

1. in a manner that uses the most flattering or best aspects of

  Familiarity information: TO ADVANTAGE used as an adverb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• TO ADVANTAGE (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

In a manner that uses the most flattering or best aspects of

Context example:

the dress brought out her figure to advantage

 Context examples 

You will see her to advantage; see her and hear her—no, I am afraid you will not hear her at all, for she has an aunt who never holds her tongue.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

The family were now seen to advantage.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

She knew how little such a situation would give pleasure to either, or make either appear to advantage.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

The authorities are excellent at amassing facts, though they do not always use them to advantage.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Well may he eschew the calm of domestic life; it is not his element: there his faculties stagnate—they cannot develop or appear to advantage.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

I believe our boys were, generally, as ignorant a set as any schoolboys in existence; they were too much troubled and knocked about to learn; they could no more do that to advantage, than any one can do anything to advantage in a life of constant misfortune, torment, and worry.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

One of the most remarkable characteristics of Sherlock Holmes was his power of throwing his brain out of action and switching all his thoughts on to lighter things whenever he had convinced himself that he could no longer work to advantage.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Edward returned to them with fresh admiration of the surrounding country; in his walk to the village, he had seen many parts of the valley to advantage; and the village itself, in a much higher situation than the cottage, afforded a general view of the whole, which had exceedingly pleased him.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

Mr. Elton looked all happiness at this proposition; and nothing could exceed his alertness and attention in conducting them into his house and endeavouring to make every thing appear to advantage.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

Warmed by the sight of such a friend to her son, and regulated by the wish of appearing to advantage before him, she was overflowing with gratitude—artless, maternal gratitude—which could not be unpleasing.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)