ENGLISH
REFERENCE

take stock

idiom
Meaning

To scrutinize or size up something; to assess a situation.


Examples
SIMPLE

I need to take stock of my life and set new goals.

CONTEXTUAL

After the project failed, the team paused to take stock of their mistakes before starting again.

COMPLEX

Following the sudden market shift, the board of directors met to take stock of the company's financial position and long-term strategy.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    cross to take up

    Alternative form of cross to bear.

  2. 02

    forget to take one's medication this morning

    To be annoyed or irritable, or to behave in an ill-mannered way, particularly in the morning.

  3. 03

    give and take

    A process of compromise or accommodation.

  4. 04

    give someone an inch and someone will take a mile

    Alternative form of give them an inch and they'll take a mile.

  5. 05

    I take it

    Used to express one's understanding of another's position.

  6. 06

    kick ass and take names

    To beat someone in a competition, fight, or other situation.

  7. 07

    laughing stock

    An object of ridicule, someone who is publicly ridiculed; the butt of a joke.

  8. 08

    let nature take its course

    To permit events to proceed or a situation to develop without intervention or interference.

© 2026 English Reference