# stock up

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/stock-up
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. to buy in bulk

phrasal verb · CEFR B1

to buy a lot of something so you do not run out of it later.

For teachers: to acquire or accumulate a large supply of something for future use.

- We should stock up on water and batteries before the storm arrives.
- Anticipating a significant price increase in the new year, the company decided to stock up on raw materials while current contracts remained valid.

Usage: Usually followed by the preposition 'on' when the items are mentioned.

Teaching tip: Commonly used in the context of groceries, emergency supplies, or business inventory.

## Examples

- We need to stock up on milk before the storm starts.
- Whenever there is a big sale at the supermarket, my parents stock up on canned goods and toilet paper.
- Anticipating a significant disruption in the global supply chain, several major tech firms began to stock up on essential semiconductors and raw materials.

## Usage notes

- Teaching tip: contrast with 'hoard', which has a negative connotation of greed or panic; 'stock up' is generally seen as a sensible, organized action.

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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.