Stake out
verb
To watch a place carefully, usually secretly, to observe someone's movements or activities.
The detective staked out the house hoping to catch the burglars.
Often appears as...
- stake out a place
- stake out a suspect
verb
To claim or establish a right to something by marking with stakes.
Pioneers would stake out land to establish their homesteads.
Often appears as...
- stake out a claim
- stake out territory
verb
To watch a place carefully, usually secretly, to observe someone's movements or activities.
The detective staked out the house hoping to catch the burglars.
Often appears as...
- stake out a place
- stake out a suspect
verb
To claim or establish a right to something by marking with stakes.
Pioneers would stake out land to establish their homesteads.
Often appears as...
- stake out a claim
- stake out territory
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Surveillance Context
Used when discreetly monitoring someone suspected of something, often in law enforcement.
The officers decided to stake out the warehouse after receiving the tip-off.
Pro Tip 2/3Long Duration
Refers to an extended period of watching, not just a quick look.
The journalist had to stake out the politician's house for days to get the story.
Pro Tip 3/3Secretive Nature
The watching is done in secret, the observer stays hidden.
The detective staked out from a nondescript van to avoid detection.
Pro Tip 1/3Surveillance Context
Used when discreetly monitoring someone suspected of something, often in law enforcement.
The officers decided to stake out the warehouse after receiving the tip-off.
Pro Tip 2/3Long Duration
Refers to an extended period of watching, not just a quick look.
The journalist had to stake out the politician's house for days to get the story.
Pro Tip 3/3Secretive Nature
The watching is done in secret, the observer stays hidden.
The detective staked out from a nondescript van to avoid detection.
Pro Tip 1/3Surveillance Context
Used when discreetly monitoring someone suspected of something, often in law enforcement.
The officers decided to stake out the warehouse after receiving the tip-off.
Pro Tip 2/3Long Duration
Refers to an extended period of watching, not just a quick look.
The journalist had to stake out the politician's house for days to get the story.
Pro Tip 3/3Secretive Nature
The watching is done in secret, the observer stays hidden.
The detective staked out from a nondescript van to avoid detection.
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