# raise the stakes

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/raise-the-stakes
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To increase in significance or risk.

## Examples

- They decided to raise the stakes by betting more money.
- The company raised the stakes by offering a huge bonus to whoever finishes the project first.
- By publicly challenging his opponent to a televised debate, the candidate raised the stakes of an already tense election.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.