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
As both companies have figured out how to bring digital objects into our reality, Julian aims to up the ante by selling his creations as military equipment.
—
Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 7 Oct. 2025
Luigi Avantaggiato Phase three will up the ante even higher.
—IEEE Spectrum, 2 Oct. 2025
Grab this pair inspired by Clarkson to up the ante on your denim collection.
—Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
While early FKTs on long trails predominantly involved fast walking, the physical requirements that former athletes have set in these spaces have required that subsequent record attempts up the ante.
—Outside, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for up the ante
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Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 7 Oct. 2025
Luigi Avantaggiato Phase three will up the ante even higher.
—IEEE Spectrum, 2 Oct. 2025
Grab this pair inspired by Clarkson to up the ante on your denim collection.
—Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
While early FKTs on long trails predominantly involved fast walking, the physical requirements that former athletes have set in these spaces have required that subsequent record attempts up the ante.
—Outside, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for up the ante
Cite this Entry
“Up the ante.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/up%20the%20ante. Accessed 13 Oct. 2025.
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