The term 'TAKES FOR A RIDE' can be broken down into two crossword solutions: CONS (4 letters) and SCAMS (5 letters). The word 'CONS' is short for 'CONSPIRACY, ' which is an agreement between two or more people to commit a crime or do something illegal. The word 'SCAMS' refers to fraudulent activities, such as schemes to defraud people of their money or property. Taken together, the phrase 'TAKES FOR A RIDE' implies that someone is being taken advantage of in some way, either through a CONSPIRACY or a scam.