stare at

stare at (someone or something)

1. Literally, to gaze or gawk at someone or something in an intense, prolonged, or steadfast manner. I just stared at the eviction notice in disbelief. Some guy at the bar has been staring at me all night.
2. To face, confront, or be forced to deal with some unavoidable and unpleasant future outcome or development. Usually used in the continuous tense. We're staring at a major deficit in the budget, and you want to decrease taxes? Doctors are warning that we will be staring at a public health crisis if we don't adjust our diets and lifestyles soon.
See also: stare
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

stare at someone or something

to look fixedly at someone or something. Why are you staring at me? I was staring at the scenery behind you.
See also: stare
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • stare at (someone or something)
  • stare into
  • stare into (something)
  • stare in the face
  • stare (someone or something) in the face
  • stare something in the face
  • stare out at
  • stare out at (someone or something)
  • boggle at
  • boggle at (something)
References in classic literature
He came round with a start, and staggered back a few paces to stare at me.
Island of Doctor Moreau
He leaned back in his chair and, folding his arms across his chest, continued to stare at me squarely.
Under Western Eyes
In a moment Strickland looked away and idly surveyed the ceiling, but she continued to stare at him, and now her look was quite inexplicable.
Moon and Sixpence
Their two great symbols are the sun and the open eye; for they say that if a man were really healthy he could stare at the sun."
"If a man were really healthy," said Father Brown, "he would not bother to stare at it."
People only think they need these things because they have been trained in fear instead of being trained in power and courage, just as the silly nurses tell children not to stare at the sun, and so they can't do it without blinking.
It came with this precious prophet, or whatever he calls himself, who taught her to stare at the hot sun with the naked eye.
The Innocence Of Father Brown
She walked slowly down this place and stared at the faces which also seemed to stare at her.
A broad window with leaded panes looked out upon the moor; and over the mantel was another portrait of the stiff, plain little girl who seemed to stare at her more curiously than ever.
Secret Garden
"If boys would not stare at girls than whom they should stare at.
Obvious for boys to stare at girls: NCP MP Udayanraje Bhosale
I see it everywhere - couples ignoring each other to stare at their phones, mums ignoring their kids playing in the park while they're on their phones, people out for dinner or lunch together, staring at their phones.
Boyfriend loves his phone more than me
They stare at me too much.I am trying to narrow down the possible reasons they keep staring.
MAN IN THE HOOD: My neighbours are spying on me
According to local media reports, Tonghang allegedly drove his car near a warehouse and loudly honked his horn, prompting the workers to stare at him.
General in custody for pistol-whipping man
However, her mum Amber Ibrahim, from Sheldon, is fed-up with people who keep stopping to stare at the sevenmonth-old.
Mum's plea to protect her desperately ill daughter PLEASE DON'T STARE; MESSAGE TO 'NARROW-MINDED' STRANGERS AS LITTLE INAAYA IS FORCED TO USE FEEDING TUBE
She couldn't help but stare at him And he just stared right back.
Your Poem; Vampire