To raise the stakes 這個表達最初來自博彩但現在被用於很多語境中。Stake 的意思是 「賭注、風險」。Raising the stakes 的意思是 「提高賭注，增加風險」 為了最終得到更高的回報和成功。
John has really raised the stakes in his argument with his neighbour. He's installed security cameras that look over his garden.
Top-ranking retailer Tesco has raised the stakes in the price war among UK supermarkets by cutting the price of 700 products.
單詞 stake 也可以指 「股份」 或某人在一個項目、公司中的重大利益。
The government is planning to sell its 49% stake in the rail network.
His company owns a 12% stake in a new internet start-up company.