What are the definitions of “stake out”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1To watch or observe a place secretly, especially in order to gather information or catch someone.
"We should stake out drugstores in the area in case he tries to break in for more drugs," Yale said.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “stake out”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb stake out is to secretly watch or observe a place, usually to gather information or catch someone. For example, police officers might stake out a suspect's house to gather evidence or catch them in the act.
What are the different verb forms of “stake out”?
| Root Verb | stake out |
| Third Person Singular Present | stakes out |
| Present Participle | staking out |
| Simple Past | staked out |
| Past Participle | staked out |
Example
The detective decided to stake out the suspect's house.
Example
He stakes out the area to gather information.
Example
The police are staking out the criminal's hideout.
Example
They staked out the location for hours.
Example
The area had been staked out by the police.
What kind of phrasal verb is “stake out”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Transitive verb
“stake out” is a transitive phrasal verb because it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object specifies what is being removed, obtained, or eliminated.
Example
The police staked out the suspect's house.
Example
The detective staked the location out to catch the thief.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“stake out” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
The police staked out the suspect's house.
Example
The detective staked the location out to catch the thief.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “stake out”?
Stakeout
A surveillance operation, usually conducted by law enforcement, where a location is secretly observed.
Example
The police conducted a stakeout to catch the criminals in the act.
Good things to know
Does “stake out” have an informal or formal tone?
Stake out is a neutral phrasal verb that can be used in both informal and formal contexts. It is commonly used in everyday conversations, as well as in more formal settings, such as police reports or news articles.
