Up the ante Meaning in English
expression
ˈəp/ /ˈðə/, /ðə/, /ði/ /ˈænti
UP thuh AN-tee
ˈʌp/ /ðə, ði/ /ˈæntiː
UP thee AN-tee
Definition
To increase the stakes of a situation, or to do something to make a challenge, negotiation, or competition more intense or important.
Usage & Nuances
Informal, often used in business, negotiations, sports, or personal challenges. Originally from gambling, but now common in everyday situations. It implies raising expectations, risk, or rewards.
Spanish: aumentar la apuesta - subir el nivelPortuguese (BR): aumentar a aposta - elevar o nívelPortuguese (PT): aumentar a parada - subir o nívelChinese (Simplified): 加码 - 提高要求Chinese (Traditional): 加碼 - 提高要求Hindi: दांव बढ़ानाArabic: رفع السقف - زيادة الرهانBengali: পণ বাড়ানো - চ্যালেঞ্জ বাড়ানোRussian: повысить ставкиJapanese: 賭け金を上げる - ハードルを上げるVietnamese: nâng cao mức cược - tăng mức độ cạnh tranhKorean: 판을 키우다 - 수준을 높이다Turkish: bahsi artırmak - işi büyütmekUrdu: داؤ بڑھانا - مقابلہ بڑھاناIndonesian: menaikkan taruhan - meningkatkan persaingan
Example Sentences
They decided to up the ante by adding a bonus to the contest.
basic
If you want to win, you have to up the ante.
basic
The company upped the ante by launching a new product.
basic
When he saw her solution, he knew he had to up the ante to stay ahead.
natural
Let's up the ante and make this project even more impressive.
natural
Her competitor keeps trying to up the ante, but she welcomes the challenge.
natural