From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishstake (out) a claimstake (out) a claimOWNto say publicly that you think you have a right to have or own somethingstake (out) a claim to Both countries staked a claim to the islands. → stake
Examples from the Corpus
stake (out) a claim• It was in her desperate kisses, the way she clutched at him, her hands roving possessively, staking out claims.• He may have staked a claim for a regular place, particularly if Steven Gerrard is not fit.• Weedy horrors Weeds are opportunists, quick to stake a claim for any vacant patch of ground they find.• It is another chance for Beagrie to stake a claim in his helter - skelter Goodison career.• Oxford blew their chance to stake a claim in the promotion race.• Both countries have staked a claim to the islands.• We staked claim to the two-man tents set on a steep slope in the rain forest.• In the last six months, two fledgling dirt-shirt companies have staked claims to this earthy enterprise.• Griffey has already staked a claim to this year's Most Valuable Player award.• Others will have already staked a claim with tripods and telescopes. 