Up the ante
📖 Meanings
- 1.
To make a situation more risky or dangerous
- 2.
To raise the price or cost of something
- 3.
To increase the level of commitment or effort
- 4.
To intensify a situation or issue
💬 Examples
- 1.
The company upped the ante by offering a higher salary to attract top talent.
- 2.
As the negotiations continued, both sides kept upping the ante, making a resolution more difficult.
- 3.
The coach told the team they needed to up the ante if they wanted to win the championship.
- 4.
The political campaign upped the ante by launching a series of attack ads against their opponent.
🗞️ Etymology
- 1.
The phrase 'up the ante' originated in gambling, where players would increase the stakes by adding more chips before the round.
- 2.
Similar expressions like 'raise the stakes' have been used since the 19th century.
- 3.
The concept of escalating a situation has roots in competitive games and contests throughout history.
- 4.
The idiom has evolved to represent intensifying actions or decisions in various contexts beyond gambling.
🔁 Synonyms
- 1.
Raise the stakes
- 2.
Step up the game
- 3.
Elevate the risk
- 4.
Heighten the challenge
- 5.
Intensify the situation
🌀 Variants
- 1.
Raise the bar
- 2.
Increase the risk
- 3.
Lift the challenge
- 4.
Enhance the stakes
- 5.
Boost the competition