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raise the stakes

[/reɪz ðə steɪks/]
verb phrase
aumentar as apostas / elevar as apostas
1. To increase the level of risk, commitment, or intensity in a situation; to make something more serious or consequential
When the competitor raised the stakes by offering double the prize money, everyone became more motivated.
Quando o concorrente aumentou as apostas oferecendo o dobro do prêmio, todos ficaram mais motivados.
2. To make higher bets or wagers in a gambling context
He decided to raise the stakes and bet all his chips on the final hand.
Ele decidiu aumentar as apostas e colocar todas as suas fichas na mão final.
3. To make a situation more dangerous, challenging, or demanding
The new strategy raised the stakes for the entire team.
A nova estratégia elevou as apostas para todo o time.
NYC Slang
up the ante / turn up the heat
Synonyms
increase the anteup the anteescalateintensifyheighten the tension
Antonyms
lower the stakesback downreduce the riskde-escalate

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
aumentar as apostas / elevar as apostas
Most common usage in informal and formal contexts
Rio de Janeiro
aumentar as apostas / botar mais na mesa
More colloquial alternative in casual speech
São Paulo
elevar as apostas / aumentar o jogo
Business and competitive contexts frequently use this form
Portugal
aumentar as apostas / levantar a parada
Both forms are used; levantar a parada is more traditional

Related Idioms & Phrases

all in
go for broke
up the ante
double down
burn bridges
put it all on the line
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