up the ante

idiom

1

: to raise the cost or price

The popular actor first demanded twice the salary offered him but then kept upping the ante.

2

: to increase the risk or possible harm that could result from something

—often + on

The new law ups the ante on people who cheat on their taxes.

3

: to set a higher standard or goal

—often + on

The film ups the ante on special effects.

Examples of up the ante in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Next year, officials hope to up the ante even more by placing animatronic greater sage-grouse replicas on the field. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 May 2025

With each year bringing a new theme, stylists up the ante in fresh, creative ways. —Brett F. Braley-Palko, Forbes.com, 5 May 2025

And to up the ante, this year even featured a moment from former Vice President Kamala Harris herself, who showed up unannounced at the Ritz-Carlton in Laguna Niguel. —Essence Editors, Essence, 28 Apr. 2025

The Clippers’ players and fans seemed to love it, so the team and Wood decided to up the ante for the 2024-2025 season. —Scott Feinberg, HollywoodReporter, 18 Apr. 2025

Rhymes for up the ante

• chianti
• anti
• auntie
• canty
• fanti
• grantee
• panty
• scanty
• shanty
• vigilante