stock and trade
What one does
Stock and trade refers to the characteristic goods, skills, or methods that define someone's work or identity.
A comedian's stock and trade might be self-deprecating humor; a detective's might be dogged persistence.
The phrase often carries a slight edge, suggesting something relied upon perhaps too heavily: Exaggeration is his stock and trade.
Also stock in trade.
- merchandiseCommercial products offered
- businessCommercial activity or occupation
- waresItems offered for sale
- hallmarkDistinguishing characteristic or mark
- commoditiesTradeable raw materials
modus operandi · bag of tricks · inventory · goods · know-how · skill set · assets · calling card · claim to fame · forte · métier · signature move · bread and butter · daily grind · technique · mastery · competence · area of expertise
stock and tradehobby
Recreational leisure activity
pastime · sideline · leisure activity · avocation · diversion
stock and tradeweakness
Deficiency in force
blind spot · Achilles' heel · shortcoming · deficiency · incompetence
stock and tradeanomaly
Departure from the expected
aberration · departure · out of character · exception · one-off
stock, trade, stocks, stocked, stocking, stockings, stocker, stockist, stockpile