stake out

Idioms  

1. Keep an area or person under police surveillance; also, assign someone to conduct such a surveillance. For example, They staked out the house, or He was staked out in the alley, watching for drug dealers. [c. 1940]

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Example Sentences

Though he has yet to stake out positions on many policies, Romans has also alluded to memories of economic populism in the Democratic Party, namely in his announcement video, which featured Romans having a conversation with his mother at a kitchen table.

From Salon

The tiny rituals help stake out a sense of ease: a truly good, no-notes dip; a bowl of warm, spiced nuts that perfumes the whole apartment the moment the door opens.

From Salon

Certain members agreed to stake out high-traffic locations during their lunch breaks, or if they were working remotely.

From Slate

Walking through the artist’s compound of Chicago’s Riot Fest early on a cloudy Saturday afternoon, dozens of artists, music industry professionals, and other VIPs are leaving their backstage trailers to head over to the main stage, hoping to stake out a good spot to watch the next noteworthy band on the bill.

From Los Angeles Times

But to stake out an admittedly outrageous devil’s-advocate position, at least it would have been honest.

From Salon

Related Words

• assess
• canvass
• check
• check out
• estimate
• evaluate
• examine
• inspect
• look over
• observe
• overlook
• oversee
• review
• scan
• supervise