English Dictionary

up the ante

verb

(poker) To raise the stakes of a hand of poker / (dispute) To take an action that raises the stakes, i.e. that increases the chances of conflict. / (idiomatic) To make something more difficult.

He decided to up the ante and bet all his chips.

意味（1）

(poker) To raise the stakes of a hand of poker

With three aces and two jacks, he thought it was safe to up the ante

意味（2）

(dispute) To take an action that raises the stakes, i.e. that increases the chances of conflict.

意味（3）

(idiomatic) To make something more difficult.

When runners cross-train for events, they often up the ante by running on sand.

意味（4）

(idiomatic) To make something more desirable.

The school system cannot raise teachers' salaries, so they are providing better benefits as an effort to up the ante.