put stock in

put stock in

To pay attention to something; to have or invest faith or belief in something; to accept something. Often used in the negative. Oh, John is very dependable—I would put stock in his promises. Our managers put stock in their employees' abilities, and I think that definitely contributes to our company's success. Don't put stock in their criticism—they're just jealous.See also: put, stock

put (or take) stock in

believe or have faith in. The earliest example so far recorded of this expression is by Mark Twain in Galaxy ( 1870 ): ‘The “chance” theory…is… calculated to inflict…pecuniary loss upon any community that takes stock in it’.See also: put, stock