Definition of breath for Students. 1  1 : ability to breathe : ease of breathing I lost my breath for a moment. 2  2 : air taken in or sent out by the lungs Hold your breath. 3  3 : a slight breeze a breath of wind.
Definition of 'raise the stakes'. raise the stakes. a. to increase the amount of money or valuables hazarded in a gambling game. b. to increase the costs, risks, or considerations involved in taking an action or reaching a conclusion. the Libyan allegations raised the stakes in the propaganda war between Libya and the United States. stake.
up the ante. verb phrase. To raise the price, offer, sum in question, etc; increase; make a higher demand: I think I may up the ante to a cool fifty/ The trader decides to up the ante. [1970s+; fr the ante in poker, which gives one the right to take part]