stock up
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Verb: * To acquire and store a large quantity of something for future use, often in anticipation of a need, shortage, or specific event.
Usage
The verb "stock up" is used to describe the deliberate action of accumulating a supply of items. It implies a purposeful gathering beyond immediate needs. It is often followed by the preposition "on" to specify the item being acquired.
Examples
- Verb:
- Before the storm, residents rushed to stock up on bottled water and canned food.
- We should stock up for the camping trip this weekend.
- The store is having a sale, so it's a good time to stock up.
Advanced Usage
- "to stock up on [something]": This is the most common construction, specifying the particular item being accumulated.
- I need to stock up on printer paper before I run out.
- The phrase can be used figuratively for non-physical things, such as knowledge or experiences.
- She traveled the world to stock up on stories for her novel.
Variants and Related Words
- Stockpile (verb/noun): To accumulate or a large accumulated supply, often for long-term or strategic use. It can have a more formal or serious connotation than "stock up."
- The country stockpiled medical supplies.
- Lay in (verb phrase): A synonym meaning to acquire and store for future use.
- We should lay in some firewood for the winter.
Synonyms
- Accumulate (for future use)
- Lay in a supply
- Build up a reserve
- Hoard (can have a negative connotation of selfish accumulation)
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Stock up does not have common derivative phrasal verbs. It is itself a phrasal verb.
Related Idioms
- Stock up is commonly used but is not typically classified as an idiom; it is a phrasal verb with a clear, compositional meaning.
Verb
- amass so as to keep for future use or sale or for a particular occasion or use
- let's stock coffee as long as prices are low