To take stock
Example: We need to take stock of our supplies before leaving.
Definition
"To take stock" means to carefully assess and evaluate a situation, resources, or progress, often to make informed decisions or plans. For example, it involves reviewing what supplies or assets are available before proceeding with an action.
Etymology
The phrase "to take stock" originates from the practice of counting and assessing inventory or goods, where "stock" refers to supplies or merchandise. Over time, it evolved to mean evaluating any situation or resources, not just physical goods. Did you know it comes from the Old English word "stocc," meaning tree trunk or log, which later came to mean a store or supply?
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"To take stock" appears in the Vocaplus list "English - General - Idioms and Proverbs - (C2) - set 1", containing 106 commonly used expressions.
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