What does “Up the ante” mean?

"Up the ante" means to increase the level of something, especially in terms of risk or reward.

What context can I use the in?

Example

The company decided to up the ante by offering a higher salary to attract top talent.

Example

In order to win the game, they had to up the ante and take more risks.

Example

The negotiations reached a stalemate until one party decided to up the ante and offer a better deal

Is “Up the ante” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?

“Up the ante” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.

How would I use “Up the ante” effectively in context?

You can use "Up the Ante" to describe the act of increasing the level of something, whether it's taking more risks, offering a higher reward, or intensifying a situation. Here are three distinct situations where you can use this idiom effectively:

1Negotiation
The negotiations reached a stalemate until one party decided to up the ante and offer a better deal.
2Competition
In order to win the game, they had to up the ante and take more risks.
3Business
The company decided to up the ante by offering a higher salary to attract top talent.

Similar phrases to “Up the ante”:

Raise the stakes

To increase the level of risk or reward in a situation

Example

In order to make the game more exciting, they decided to raise the stakes.

Kick it up a notch

To increase the intensity or level of something

Example

He decided to kick it up a notch and train even harder for the competition.

Take it to the next level

To elevate or intensify something

Example

They wanted to take their business to the next level by expanding into new markets.

Good things to know:

Where does the phrase “Up the ante” come from?

The origin of the phrase "Up the Ante" is derived from the world of gambling. In card games like poker, players would increase the amount of money or chips in the pot to raise the stakes and make the game more exciting. This action was referred to as 'upping the ante.' Over time, the phrase has been adopted in various contexts beyond gambling to mean increasing the level of something, especially in terms of risk or reward.

Is “Up the ante” common in everyday conversation?

Yes, "Up the Ante" is a commonly used idiom in everyday conversation. People often use it to describe situations where the level of risk, reward, or intensity is increased.

What tone does “Up the ante” have?

"Up the Ante" conveys a tone of determination and ambition. It suggests a willingness to take on more challenges or push boundaries in order to achieve a desired outcome.

Can “Up the ante” be used in informal and formal settings?

Yes, "Up the Ante" can be used in both informal and formal settings. It's a versatile expression that conveys the idea of increasing the level of something. You can use it in everyday conversations with friends, family, and colleagues, as well as in more formal situations such as business meetings or presentations.

Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?

It's commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'They decided to up the ante and offer a higher salary.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'Time to "up the ante"!' to imply readiness to take on more challenges.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

raise the bar
increase the stakes
elevate the level
intensify the situation
step up the game

Antonyms

lower the stakes
reduce the level
diminish the situation
play it safe
stay within limits