ups the ante
Increases the wager
Ups the ante means to raise the stakes or increase what's at risk in a situation.
The phrase comes from poker, where the ante is the initial bet each player must make before cards are dealt.
Outside gambling, it describes any escalation of commitment, risk, or intensity: The company upped the ante by offering free shipping on all orders.
When someone ups the ante, they force others to match their increased investment or back down.
- upOut of bed
- raise the stakesIncrease what's wagered
- stakesPosts or wagers
- all inFully committed, nothing reserved
- heightenIncrease in degree
wager · double down · challenge · leverage · escalation · arms race · one-up · intensify · pressure · outdo · commitment · rivalry · competition · risk · bet · amplify · accelerate · strategy
ups the antefolds
Bends upon itself
backs down · withdraws · retreats · caves · backs off
ups the antede-escalates
Reduces intensity or hostility
backs off · relents · lets up · compromises
ante, ups, upped, upping, upper, upward, upwards, uppermost, antes