raise the stakes

English

Pronunciation

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Verb

raise the stakes (third-person singular simple present raises the stakes, present participle raising the stakes, simple past and past participle raised the stakes)

1. (idiomatic) To increase in significance or risk.

   The bank robber decided to take a hostage in order to raise the stakes.

2. (poker) Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see raise,‎ stakes (used literally e. g. of a hand of poker)

   With a royal flush, he decided to raise the stakes.

Synonyms

• sweeten the pot
• up the ante
• escalate

Translations

up the ante — see up the ante