stock in trade

or stock-in-trade

noun

1. the requisites for carrying on a business, especially goods kept on hand for sale in a store.
2. resources or abilities peculiar to an individual or group or employed for a specific purpose:

   A feeling for language should be part of the stock in trade of any writer.

stock in trade

noun

1. goods in stock necessary for carrying on a business
2. anything constantly used by someone as a part of his profession, occupation, or trade

   friendliness is the salesman's stock in trade

Word History and Origins

Origin of stock in trade¹

First recorded in 1660–70

Example Sentences

Promises on immigration have been the stock in trade for the last 15 years of UK politics.

From BBC

Lawyerly justifications of Trump’s bogus claims are Vance’s stock in trade, but he doesn’t appear to have used the phrase directionally correct himself.

From Slate

Anslinger was one of the greatest con men of that century, and racist canards were his stock in trade.

From Salon

As a fighter whose stock in trade is the knockout, British and Commonwealth heavyweight champion Fabio Wardley feels he can't criticise people for craving a spectacle he very much wants to supply.

From BBC

Football commentator Martin Tyler's voice is his stock in trade.

From BBC