Stake out Meaning in English
expression
Definition
To secretly watch a place or person, usually to catch someone doing something illegal or suspicious. Police often stake out locations to gather evidence.
Usage & Nuances
Often used in law enforcement or detective contexts; can be a noun ('a stakeout') or verb ('to stake out'). Informal use: also means watching something carefully for a reason. Common collocations: 'stake out the house', 'stake out the store'. Not for simply waiting casually.
Example Sentences
The police decided to stake out the suspect's apartment.
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Detectives will stake out the store tonight.
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We should stake out the area to see who comes by.
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We had to stake out the coffee shop for hours before anything happened.
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They planned to stake out the event, just in case the celebrity appeared.
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If you want the best spot at the festival, you’ll need to stake out your place early.
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