单词 ante 可以指在玩扑克牌时下的赌注。成语 to up the ante 在生活中用来表示提高赌注，冒更大风险以得到更高的回报和成功。

例句

The government has upped the ante in the fight against tax-evaders by significantly increasing the penalties for those caught.

The university has upped the ante for students by requiring them to reach 80% attendance at lectures before graduating.

请注意

这个表达和 raising the stakes 意思相同。