The phrasal verb "stay over" is primarily used in informal contexts. It typically means to remain overnight at another person's place, such as a friend's or relative's home, and can also imply spending the night away from one's usual residence. In practice, "stay over" is commonly used in casual conversations, often when discussing social arrangements or plans. For example, "I'm going to stay over at Jane's place tonight" indicates an informal, friendly setting. Although it can occasionally appear in more formal writing, especially in contexts like hospitality or travel, it is generally considered a casual expression. Overall, "stay over" is a well-understood and widely used idiom in English, especially prevalent among friends, families, or when making informal guest accommodations.
B1
PreIntermediate
1. To sleep overnight in a place away from your usual home, often at someone's house or at a hotel.
I decided to stay over at my friend's house after the party.
Because the trains stopped running, I had to stay over in the city.
We stayed over at a hotel because our flight was delayed.