ante up

Stake your share

Ante up means to pay what's owed or contribute one's share.

The phrase comes from poker, where the ante is the stake each player must put into the pot before cards are dealt.

Outside gambling, it means to pay up or commit resources: It's time to ante up for the group gift.

The company finally anted up the settlement money.

payment

pay

Wages for work

contributeGive to a collective
chip inAdd to a group fund
fork overPay reluctantly

cough up · pony up · shell out · settle · dues · fee · share · portion · cover · pitch in

gambling

bet

Risked stake on outcome

wagerStake on uncertainty
pokerHearth implement for coals
potVessel for cooking

buy-in · chips · blinds · raise · call · stakes · hold'em · all-in · table · deal

commitment

pledge

Binding promise given

commitBind to a course
promiseCommitment to act
investCommit resources for gain

dedicate · stake · risk · engage · undertake · obligation · buy-in · skin in the game · involvement · participation

initiation

begin

To start something

startTo set going
kickoffOpening play in football
openNot closed

launch · initiate · entry · threshold · table stakes · get started · join in · participate

Categories

gamblinggamble, gambling, casinos, casino, bets
gambling lingoall in, raise the stakes, go all in, high roller, jackpot
pokerblinds, all-in, all in, call, seven-card stud
payingpay, payment plan, pay up, pay out, pay off
contributecontribute, donate, give, chip in, pitch in
escalationescalation, escalate, ratchet up, worsen, intensify

Opposites

contributing vs. withdrawing from stakes

ante upfold

Bend onto itself

cash out · drop out · bow out · sit out · pass

paying vs. refusing to pay

ante upstiff

Not easily bent

welch · renege · hold back · withhold · default

commitment vs. avoidance

ante upback out

Withdraw from commitment

chicken out · hedge · hold back · balk · demur

Family

antebellum, ante, antecedent, anterior, anteroom, antedate, antechamber, antediluvian, antes

Familiarity: Top 200,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Everyday, not technical · Rated G