Definition

Noun: 1. The typical or characteristic resources, skills, or merchandise of a person, business, or profession: This refers to the essential tools, goods, or qualities that are fundamental to someone's trade or activity. 2. The goods kept on hand by a business for sale; inventory: This is the literal meaning referring to the stock of merchandise a trader holds.

Usage

The term is often used figuratively to describe the standard techniques, behaviors, or materials someone habitually uses. It is commonly hyphenated as "stock-in-trade."

Examples

• A comedian's stock-in-trade is a good sense of timing and witty observations.
• For a carpenter, a saw and a hammer are part of his stock-in-trade.
• The small shop's stock-in-trade consisted of local crafts and souvenirs.
• Exaggerated claims seem to be the politician's stock-in-trade.

Advanced Usage

• The phrase can be used in a slightly critical way to imply something is overused or unoriginal: "Sentimental clichés are the stock-in-trade of bad poetry."

Variants and Related Words

• Stock (noun): A supply of goods or materials. (e.g., )
• Trade (noun): A skilled job, typically one requiring manual skills. (e.g., )

Synonyms

• Specialty
• Repertoire
• Mainstay
• Inventory
• Staple

Idioms and Phrases

• One's stock-in-trade: This is the standard idiomatic form of the term itself, as shown in the examples.

Noun

1. any equipment constantly used as part of a profession or occupation
   • friendliness is the salesman's stock in trade