raise the stakes

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raise the stakes (third-person singular simple present raises the stakes, present participle raising the stakes, simple past and past participle raised the stakes)

1. (poker) Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see raise,‎ stakes (used literally e. g. of a hand of poker)

   With a royal flush, he decided to raise the stakes.

2. (idiomatic) to increase in significance or risk.

   The bank robber decided to take a hostage in order to raise the stakes.

• sweeten the pot
• up the ante
• escalate