stake out a claim to (something)

stake out a claim to (something)

To assert one's right to or ownership of something. My great-grandfather staked out a claim to this land over 100 years ago. You can't have this cookie because someone else already staked out a claim to it. Settlers arrived in droves looking to stake out claims to the newly discovered land.
See also: claim, out, stake
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

stake out a claim to something

 and stake out a claim on something
to lay claim to something. The prospector staked out a claim to the promising piece of land. We staked out a claim on two seats at the side of the auditorium.
See also: claim, out, stake
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • stake out (one's) claim
  • stake out (one's) claim on (something)
  • stake out (one's) claim to (something)
  • stake out a claim
  • stake out a claim on (something)
  • stake out a claim to
  • stake a claim
  • stake a claim to
  • true as God
  • strive against (something)