stake someone or something out
Theme: OBSERVATION
1.
tr. to position a person so that someone or something can be observed or followed.
The cops staked the car out and made the arrest.Barlowe staked out the apartment building and watched patiently for an hour.
2.
tr. to position a person to observe someone or something.
He staked his best operative out in front of the building.We staked out two men to keep watch.