ante up

Idioms and Phrases

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 .

Related Words

• accord
• allow
• award
• commit
• deliver
• donate
• grant
• hand out
• hand over
• permit
• present
• provide
• sell
• turn over