raise the ante
Up the bet
To raise the ante is to increase what's at stake in a situation.
The phrase comes from poker, where the ante is the initial bet each player must contribute before cards are dealt.
Raising it means demanding more from all participants.
Outside gambling, it describes escalating commitments, risks, or demands: The competitor's new product raised the ante for the whole industry.
- escalateIncrease in severity
- gambleStake on uncertain outcome
- all inFully committed, nothing reserved
- go for brokeRisk all resources
- increaseGrowth in amount
intensify · heighten · brinkmanship · ultimatum · amplify · counteroffer · inflate · double down · enhance · exacerbate · one-upmanship · elevate · bluff · poker face · challenge · push the envelope · high stakes · boost
raise the antefold
Bend onto itself
back down · withdraw · back off · retreat · de-escalate
raise the antedial it back
Lessen intensity or effort
tone it down · ease up · play it safe · hedge one's bets · take a step back
raise, raised, raising, raiser, raises, ante, anted, anteing, antes