ante up
ante up
1. Said as an imperative at the start of a round of poker when each player contributes money to the total that the winner will receive. Ante up, so we can start playing.
2. To pay money for something, often begrudgingly. I can't believe we have to ante up $25 a piece just to see a movie. You lost the bet, so ante up!
3. To fund a particular project or goal. So many donors anted up for our fundraiser that we can repair the school's heating system and the gymnasium.
See also: ante, up
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
ante up
Pay what is due, contribute; by extension, do one's share. For example, The trustees were asked to ante up $10,000 each for the new scholarship, or Tired of watching Joe sit around while they cleaned up, the roommates told him to ante up or move out . This expression comes from poker and other betting games, where to ante signifies making a bet or contribution to the pot before the cards are dealt. It was being used more loosely by the mid-1800s. Also see raise the ante.
See also: ante, up
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
ante up
v.
1. To put some amount into the pool at the beginning of a round in poker or a similar card game: Everyone should ante up $1 to start the game. It may be your last dollar, but you'll have to ante it up! We must ante up before the cards are dealt.
2. To provide some funds or capital: The fundraisers anted up $10,000 for the charity.
3. To pay some amount of money, often reluctantly: Travelers are forced to ante up $5 for a candy bar at the airport. Can you imagine having to ante money up to use the restroom?
See also: ante, up
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
ante up, to
To pay what is due, to contribute one’s share. This phrase comes from poker and other gambling games, where to ante means making a contribution to the pot before the cards are dealt. It was used more loosely starting in the mid-nineteenth century. On June 17, 2010, a New York Times editorial bore the headline, “BP Begins to Ante Up,” meaning British Petroleum, the company responsible for the enormous Gulf of Mexico oil spill, was beginning to offer retribution. Also see raise the ante.
See also: ante
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
- ante up, to
- a hole card
- hole card
- ante
- ante in
- penny-ante game, a
- money from home
- be cleaned out
- cleaned out
- skin game