Sort of look and stagger back (4)
I believe the answer is:
leer
'sort of look' is the definition.
'stagger back' is the wordplay.
'stagger' becomes 'reel' ('reel' can be a synonym of 'stagger').
'back' is a reversal indicator.
'reel' in reverse letter order is 'LEER'.
'and' is the link.
(Other definitions for leer that I've seen before include "Lewd look" , "Suggestive or sneering look" , "Look lasciviously at" , "Give lascivious look" , "Give sly look" .)