stake a claim
Meaning: To declare that something is yours, or that you have a right to it.
Language: English
Literally: (Already vivid in English)
Example: “She staked a claim to the window seat the moment we boarded.”
Category: Daily Life
Origin: From land rushes and gold rushes, where settlers and miners drove stakes into the ground to mark the plot they claimed. The figurative use is common from the 19th century.
Equivalents in other languages
- Swedish: Lägga rabarber på något — literally: To lay rhubarb on something
More idioms — Daily Life
- raze to the ground — To destroy a building or town completely.
- dig one's own grave — To cause one's own downfall.
- come in handy — To be useful when needed.
- put someone in their place — To remind someone firmly that they are not as important as they think.
- play for high stakes — To take part in something where a great deal can be won or lost.
- take liberties — To behave too freely or presumptuously.
More English idioms
- dig one's heels in — To refuse stubbornly to change one's mind.
- the scales fall from one's eyes — To suddenly see the truth after being deceived.
- feet of clay — A hidden weakness in someone or something admired.
- get to grips with something — To start dealing seriously with a problem.
- the law of the jungle — A situation where the strongest or most ruthless win.
- get one's hands on something — To obtain something, often with difficulty.