English Lexicon

Raise-the-Stakes

/reɪz ðə steɪks/
verbCEFR B2 (Upper)Top #1500 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As verb
  1. 1

    To increase the level of risk or challenge in a situation.

    "In negotiations, the company decided to raise the stakes by offering a larger bonus."
  2. 2

    To make a situation more serious or intense.

    "The new evidence raised the stakes in the ongoing investigation."

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Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

The phrase 'raise the stakes' originates from gambling terminology, where 'stakes' refer to the amount of money or value risked in a game. Over time, it has evolved to mean increasing the level of risk or challenge in various contexts, particularly in competitive situations or negotiations.

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