Quick answer: “Raise the stakes” means to increase the risk, importance, or reward of a situation.
Raise the stakes — To increase the risk, importance, or potential reward of a situation, making the outcome matter more to everyone involved.
Origin & History
The phrase comes from gambling, where 'stakes' are the money or chips wagered on a bet. To 'raise the stakes' literally means to increase the amount being bet.
Figuratively, it now describes any situation where the risks or consequences of an action are deliberately increased, from business competition to negotiations. Learners who want to check other figurative expressions can consult general reference works such as the Cambridge Dictionary, which document how such idioms are used today.
Example Sentences
| Sentence | Context |
|---|---|
| The rival company raised the stakes by cutting prices dramatically. | Business competition |
| Announcing the deadline publicly really raised the stakes for the team. | Project management |
| The final round raised the stakes for both competitors. | Sport/competition |
| Adding a big prize raised the stakes of the competition. | Contest |
Dialogue Example
A: Why are they suddenly working overtime?
B: The client raised the stakes by moving the deadline forward a month.
Common Mistakes
Mistakes to Avoid
They raised the steaks in the negotiation.
They raised the stakes in the negotiation. — The correct word is 'stakes', not 'steaks' (food).
The situation rose the stakes.
The situation raised the stakes. — The transitive verb is 'raise', not 'rise'.
They raised the stake for everyone.
They raised the stakes for everyone. — The idiom is usually plural: 'stakes', not 'stake'.
Similar Idioms
Practise This Idiom
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Quick Check: Raise the stakes
1 question — test what you just learned.
1. What does “Raise the stakes” mean?
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "raise the stakes" mean?
"Raise the stakes" means to increase the risk, importance, or potential reward of a situation, making the outcome matter more.
Where does "raise the stakes" come from?
It comes from gambling, where 'stakes' are the money wagered on a bet. To raise the stakes literally means increasing the bet.
Can you give an example of "raise the stakes" in a sentence?
"The rival company raised the stakes by cutting prices dramatically." It describes deliberately increasing risk or pressure.
Is "raise the stakes" formal or informal?
It is neutral and common in business, journalism, sport commentary, and everyday conversation.
What CEFR level is "raise the stakes"?
This idiom is typically taught at B2 level, as it uses a figurative extension of gambling vocabulary.
What are common mistakes with "raise the stakes"?
Common mistakes include confusing 'stakes' with 'steaks', or using the intransitive verb 'rise' instead of 'raise'.
What idioms are similar to "raise the stakes"?
Similar idioms include: Up the ante, Raise the bar, Increase the pressure. These describe intensifying a situation.
How do I practise idioms like "raise the stakes"?
LexFizz's Flash Cards and Flip Tiles help you practise idioms — try describing a situation where the stakes were raised.
Can "raise the stakes" be used in writing?
Yes, it is common in business articles, sports journalism, and semi-formal writing about competition or risk.
Does "raise the stakes" have the same meaning in British and American English?
Yes, it is understood identically in both, and is widely used across all major varieties of English.