Could you teach me the meaning of "spy on"? Is it different from "stakeout"? And do you use "spy on" commonly?

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

To "spy on" means to watch someone or something secretly, often in order to discover information about him, her, or it. It is different from the word "stakeout" because a "stakeout" is generally just watching an area or building, not necessarily a specific target. A stakeout is also usually something that is done in relation to crime. Whereas "spying on" someone can be used generally. I would also say that "spy on" is a generally more common phrase that you would hear in regular conversation than "stakeout". Ex: I need to spy on my boyfriend to figure out what to get him for his birthday. Ex: How did you know I went shopping? Are you spying on me? Ex: My mom is always spying on our neighbors. Ex: You don't have to spy on me, you can just ask.

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Popular Q&As

04/23

1
What does "have" mean here? (have got to, has got to)
"Have" here comes from the phrase "have got to." This expression is using the present perfect tense (have got), but you will find that this is a common expression that has the same meaning as "have to" or "must." Ex: I've got to make a decision. Ex: Did you have got to do?

2
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3
Does the phrase "worse off" emphasize how desperate the situation is? Can't I use "worse than" instead?
The phrase "worse off" means to be in a worse situation than something else. "Worse than" expresses a similar meaning, but you are correct in that "worse off" emphasizes the desperation of a situation. So you could use "worse than" here, however, "worse off" makes the situation sound more dramatic and indicates that Europe had it way worse than something else. Ex: As a single mother of five children, she's worse off than you. Ex: Even though we have no money to give, we should help them because they are worse off.

4
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A "sorority" is a typical North American female society in college or university. But you're right. It does imply something. There's a kind of negative stereotype about "sorority" girls: they love to party and drink, they like material objects, they're naive, and they only really care about themselves and the other people in the sorority. They're supposedly very cliquey. So I wouldn't say it's a positive thing that he's calling her a "sorority girl." Ex: I would never have thought that you were in a sorority. You don't seem like the cheerleader type. Ex: Do you want to join a sorority next year?

5
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