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ante up

B2 informal inseparable both
In simple words

Put your money in — either for a card game or because you have to pay for something.

Literal meaning: To place your ante (starting bet) upward into the centre of the table.

Meanings

1 B2 informal

To place your mandatory initial bet (the ante) in a card game, especially poker, so you can join the round.

"The dealer reminded everyone to ante up before she started dealing the cards."

Grammar: inseparable
2 B2 idiomatic informal

To pay money or provide resources, especially when required to do so in order to be part of something.

"If you want a seat on the board, you're going to have to ante up a significant investment."

Grammar: inseparable
3 C1 idiomatic informal

To increase one's commitment or effort in response to a challenge.

"The competition has anteed up with a brand new product, so we need to respond."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

From poker terminology ('ante' is the mandatory opening bet). The figurative sense of paying or contributing is very common in business and everyday contexts. Widely used in American English; understood in British English. Often implies the stakes are significant.

Commonly used with

money funds cash investment dollars commitment

Forms

Base
ante up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
antes up
he/she/it
Past simple
anted up
yesterday
Past participle
anted up
have + pp
-ing form
anting up
continuous

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