student asking question

What does "raise a stake" mean here?

teacher

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

The full expression is "raise the stakes," which means to increase the risk, difficulty, or level of something, like a challenge. The expression originates from poker, in which a player will "raise the stakes," or increase their bet, so that the potential number of money that can be won - and lost - is higher. Generally, we can expect that when we "raise the stakes," both the potential reward and loss have become made higher. Ex: We can't afford to raise the stakes. If we lose, we go home with nothing. Ex: She likes to play it safe. When others raise the stakes, she backs out.

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