camp out

Idioms  

1. Sleep outdoors; also, stay somewhere for an unusually long time. For example, “We camped out in a field this night” (George Washington, Journal, March 18, 1748). In the early 1900s, the expression was extended to figurative uses, meaning simply “to stay somewhere for an unusually long time,” as in She camped out at the stage door, hoping for an autograph.

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Example Sentences

“People camping out New Year’s Eve for the parade will probably get a little bit wet,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

The global media camped out, and it sometimes seemed like they never would leave.

From Los Angeles Times

She explains that the night prior, she had camped out late in the studio working with the Underdogs, the producing duo responsible for much of Chris Brown and Azealia Banks’ early sounds.

From Los Angeles Times

Multiplexes continue to struggle as audiences remain camped out in their living rooms and theater-to-streaming windows narrow.

From Salon

They camped out in various bureaucracies, literally sleeping in the office and having food delivered.

From The Wall Street Journal