noun

stead

Help or advantage, especially in the phrase “stand in good stead.”

Her years of practice stand her in good stead today.

Etymology

The source means place. In standing in good stead, it evokes being in a useful position or serving a beneficial role.

More examples

  • Basic cooking skills will stand you in good stead at college.
  • His patience stood him in good stead during the negotiations.
  • That emergency fund has stood us in good stead.

Similar words

benefit
Benefit is a general term, not limited to an idiom.
advantage
Advantage often suggests a favorable position relative to others.