raise the stakes
The phrase "raise the stakes" originates from gambling, particularly poker, where increasing the bet heightens both potential rewards and risks.
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Definition
B2General
(idiomatic)To increase the level of risk or importance in a situation.
Example
- The company decided to raise the stakes by investing heavily in new technology.
- By revealing his secret, he raised the stakes in their relationship.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "raise the stakes":
up the antevalue raisetable stakesante upsweeten the pottake it to the next leveljack upstep upturn up the heatamp upkick upcrank upbet the farmdouble down