# set out one's stall

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/set-out-ones-stall
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To make publicly clear one's position with reference to a particular idea or philosophy, or what one can do.

## Examples

- 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.

## 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. (disputed)

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.