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
The sequel’s attempt to up the ante and break down this now 13-year-old girl’s personality into ever-more-specific components (Anxiety!
—
Joe Reid, Vulture, 28 Feb. 2025
Tying a chunky knit over your top or outerwear is one of the easiest ways to up the ante of a colder-weather look.
—Camille Freestone, Glamour, 26 Feb. 2025
Dell seems on a perpetual quest to up the ante by adding new ports and features to its high-end business monitors, and the Editors' Choice-winning U3225QE continues in that tradition.
—PCMAG, 25 Feb. 2025
As the debate continues as to whether the independent sector needs three film markets, Toronto’s decision to up the ante by launching a full-on market of their own is causing many sales agent to scratch their heads.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for up the ante
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Joe Reid, Vulture, 28 Feb. 2025
Tying a chunky knit over your top or outerwear is one of the easiest ways to up the ante of a colder-weather look.
—Camille Freestone, Glamour, 26 Feb. 2025
Dell seems on a perpetual quest to up the ante by adding new ports and features to its high-end business monitors, and the Editors' Choice-winning U3225QE continues in that tradition.
—PCMAG, 25 Feb. 2025
As the debate continues as to whether the independent sector needs three film markets, Toronto’s decision to up the ante by launching a full-on market of their own is causing many sales agent to scratch their heads.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 19 Feb. 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 Mar. 2025.
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