up the ante

Definitions

1. 1

   To raise the stakes of a hand of poker.

   • With three aces and two jacks, he thought it was safe to up the ante.
2. 2

   Of a dispute, to take an action that raises the stakes, i.e. that increases the chances…

   Of a dispute, to take an action that raises the stakes, i.e. that increases the chances of conflict.

3. 3

   To render something more difficult.

   • When runners cross-train for events, they often up the ante by running on sand.
   • At the same time, leaders of the sport have continued to up the ante, organizing harder and longer races. Many last several days and hundreds of miles and include both high-altitude climbs and extreme temperatures.
4. ›+ 1 more definitionshow fewer

   1. 4

      To render something more desirable.

      • The school system cannot raise teachers' salaries, so they are providing better benefits as an effort to up the ante.
      • After a slow start, it was the home side who began to up the ante. Gokdeniz Karadeniz caused Spurs problems with his raids down the right and Alan Kasaev fired narrowly over from one of his pull-backs.

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