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 2/3
Long 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 3/3
Secretive Nature
The watching is done in secret, the observer stays hidden. The detective staked out from a nondescript van to avoid detection.