the tools of the trade

the tools of the/(one's) trade

The specific tools used in a particular profession. If you want to become a painter, you have to familiarize yourself with the tools of the trade—which include more than just paintbrushes. As a reporter, the tools of my trade used to be a pencil and a pad of paper—but now technology has changed the game.
See also: of, tool, trade
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

the tools of the trade

or

the tools of your trade

The tools of the trade or the tools of your trade are the skills and equipment that you need to do your job. He was never really a novelist, having no use for the usual tools of the trade such as plot and suspense. The peasants were deprived of their animals, the tools of their trade, and their land.
See also: of, tool, trade
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

the tools of the/your ˈtrade

the things you need to do your job: We are proud to make David’s boots, because they are the tools of his trade as a professional footballer. Ambulancemen now believe that helicopters are vital tools of the trade.
See also: of, tool, trade
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • the tools of the/(one's) trade
  • the tools of the/your trade
  • tool up
  • make bricks without straw
  • leave (something) to (one) (to do something)
  • leave it to
  • leave to
  • net
  • all is fish that comes to his net
  • such as
References in periodicals archive
"We have taken away the tools of the trade for a defender.
They'll be in the main pedestrian centre, opposite the learning shop, giving potential recruits the opportunity to try some of the tools of the trade for an Army infantryman, including a Kingsman's webbing and bergen military rucksack.
Inside the shop are all the tools of the trade. Kemp trains welding apprentices upon the equipment, following Ministry of Training, College and University requirements.
They have in the past been the tools of the trade for youngsters carrying out trick-or-treat calls on households.
He was presented with the tools of the trade - a whistle, yellow and red cards and a tracksuit - at the launch of the scholarship at the University of Gloucestershire yesterday.
The most recent collection, called The Tools of the Trade, was launched in August and comes with nine fabric books: Sparkle, Satin Lustre, Sheer Linen, Textures, Sateen, Pure Poplin, Casual Stripes and Checks, Satin Shimmer, and Silky Stripes and Solids.
"We created The Tools of the Trade to provide designers with a new and improved resource for the all-important fashion basics that serve as the foundation of every design project," said Andy Pacuk, senior vice president of design and merchandising.
Some 800 to 1,000 people turned out for the festivities, and 30 middle- and high-school students were selected in a statewide competition to work side-by-side with professional scientists, learning the tools of the trade and being a part of scientific research.
We have invested in the tools of the trade - a screwdriver - and we're ready to start work."
From the abacus to spreadsheets to enterprise resource planning software, the tools of the trade for accounting professionals continue to evolve.
They must produce products that can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with management, and focus more on subjects such as communication theory, goals and objectives, research, negotiation and quality -- less on the tools of the trade.
The Tools of the Trade brand products are sold at Macy's, Burdines, The Bon Marche and Rich's/Lazarus/Goldsmith's.
He said: "This is a very limited opportunity when computers are so much a part of the tools of the trade in education today.
"In the past the Tools of the Trade line was supported through more traditional means, like mailers," said Adams, who added that a full-scale advertising campaign is key to product branding.
Additionally, the vendors who provide the Tools of the Trade products don't have to pay for co-op advertising; Federated is responsible for all of its private label marketing plans, including extensive advertising programs in Sunday supplements.