set out one's stall
To make publicly clear one's position with reference to a particular idea or philosophy, or what one can do.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“She set out her stall early to show she wanted the job.”
“He sets out his stall as a fair and honest leader.”
“During the first meeting, the new manager set out her stall regarding the team's goals and expectations.”
“The young lawyer set out his stall during the opening statement, making it clear that he would focus entirely on the lack of physical evidence.”
“By publishing his manifesto, the candidate effectively set out his stall, forcing his opponents to address his radical economic proposals directly.”
disputed origin
Probably a reference to the act of setting out a stall, specifically a bench or table used for the sale of merchandise or a small open-fronted shop. The idiom is said to derive from the public display of one's goods in preparation for a day of trade, though the specific date of its idiomatic transition remains unrecorded. It persists as a remnant of the marketplace habit of arranging one's wares to signal an intended course of action to the public.
- 01
abound in one's own sense
To follow one’s own inclinations and opinions.
- 02
ace up one's sleeve
A surprise advantage of which others are not aware.
- 03
act one's age
To behave in a manner appropriate to one's age.
- 04
act one's age, not one's shoe size
Synonym of act one's age (“to behave in a mature manner; to avoid being childish”).
- 05
afraid of one's own shadow
Exceptionally timid.
- 06
air one's dirty laundry in public
To reveal one's sordid secrets to the public.
- 07
air one's dirty linen in public
Synonym of air one's dirty laundry in public.
- 08
albatross around one's neck
A characteristic, possession, associate, or previous deed that hinders one's ability to succeed.
Last updated August 10, 2026