What is up the ante?

"Up the ante" is an idiomatic expression that originates from the world of gambling, particularly poker. In the context of card games, the "ante" is a small amount of money that each player must contribute to the pot before a hand is dealt. To "up the ante" literally means to raise the stakes by increasing the initial bet, thereby compelling other players to match the new amount or fold their hand.

In a broader, figurative sense, "up the ante" refers to increasing the risk, intensity, or level of challenge in a situation. It is often used to describe scenarios in which someone raises the demands or challenges to achieve a more significant outcome or to propel others to respond in kind. This expression is commonly used in business, negotiations, competition, and everyday life to denote the act of taking more substantial risks or making greater commitments to achieve desired goals.