stock up on

Meaning

To 'stock up on' something means to buy a large quantity of it so that you have plenty of it to use in the future. This is commonly used when preparing for emergencies, taking advantage of a sale, or buying groceries in bulk.

Examples

• We need to stock up on toilet paper and canned goods before the storm hits.

  We need to stock up on toilet paper and canned goods before the storm hits.

• Whenever there's a sale, I stock up on my favorite coffee beans.

  Whenever there's a sale, I stock up on my favorite coffee beans.

• They went to the wholesale store to stock up on snacks for the road trip.

  They went to the wholesale store to stock up on snacks for the road trip.

• I always stock up on frozen vegetables so I have quick meal options during the week.

  I always stock up on frozen vegetables so I have quick meal options during the week.

• It's a good idea to stock up on batteries before winter starts.

  It's a good idea to stock up on batteries before winter starts.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I need to stock up food for the weekend.

  ✓ I need to stock up on food for the weekend.

  This phrasal verb requires the preposition 'on' when it is followed by the object of what you are buying.

• ✗ We stocked on many waters before the hurricane.

  ✓ We stocked up on a lot of water before the hurricane.

  The correct phrasal verb is 'stock up on', not 'stock on'. Also, 'water' is typically uncountable in this context.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Before the winter storm, we should ___ firewood and warm blankets.

  💡 To buy a large supply of something for future use.

  Show answer

  stock up on

• My family loves to ___ snacks whenever we visit the wholesale club.

  💡 Phrase meaning to purchase items in large quantities.

  Show answer

  stock up on