setting the stakes high

USAGE SUMMARY

"setting the stakes high" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to describe a situation that has increased levels of risk or consequence. For example, "John was setting the stakes high by taking a big loan for his business."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Dallas," of course, set the stakes high with its "Who Shot J. R.?" in 1980.

The New York Times - Arts

Julian Barnett sets the stakes high in the program notes for his new "Super Natural," which opened at Dance New Amsterdam on Thursday night.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Ronen set the stakes high from the start with a scene of raucous high spirits that devolved into a shocking assault on Shylock, who is stripped of his religious vestments, thrown to the ground and kicked.

The New York Times - Arts

Press materials compare the work to Beckett, but this is a fantasy too; clowning is an art of failure, and "Raoul" never sets the stakes high enough to make the impact of its title character's missteps, vulnerabilities and outlandish coping strategies deeply enough felt (though Thomas Delot's sound design does its best to suggest yearning emotions).

The New York Times

"Big Inner" connects a little bit with the slow, cathartic soft-rock practiced lately by Bon Iver and Gayngs, but it seems to set the stakes higher, both in terms of sound-mass and meditativeness; hence the title, perhaps.

The New York Times - Arts

In a flawed system, imposing death upon the convicted simply sets the stakes too high.

The Guardian - Opinion

McCrady's is designed to set the stakes as high as possible.

The New Yorker

Ghia Nodia, a political analyst, said that opposition leaders set the stakes too high last year when they promised to oust Mr. Saakashvili.

The New York Times

The stage is larger, the stakes higher.

The Economist

In experimenting with ways to integrate sculpture, sound and performance — and incorporate, or perhaps replicate, the dark power of heavy metal — Mr. Violette has set his stakes high, and his models, both in visual art and music, aren't known for their humor or subtlety.

The New York Times - Arts

The mechanism has also been looped into a separate legal challenge to another data transfer tool after the Irish High Court referred a series of questions to the European Court of Justice — setting the stage for another high stakes legal drama if fundamental European privacy rights are again deemed incompatible with U.S. national security practices.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "setting the stakes high" to emphasize the deliberate act of increasing risk or potential reward, often to create a more challenging or competitive environment. Make sure that the context clearly indicates who is setting the stakes and what those stakes entail.

Common error

Avoid using "setting the stakes high" when the increase in risk is unintentional or accidental. This phrase implies a deliberate action, so ensure the context supports the presence of an actor consciously raising the stakes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "setting the stakes high" functions as a verb phrase that often accompanies a subject to describe the act of increasing risk or potential reward in a situation. As evidenced by Ludwig, it's used to describe deliberate actions that elevate the level of challenge or competition.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "setting the stakes high" is a grammatically correct expression used to describe the act of deliberately increasing risk or potential reward. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, primarily in news, business, and scientific domains, indicating its versatility and broad acceptance. While not extremely common, its usage is consistent and conveys a clear meaning of escalating challenges or competition. The phrase carries a neutral to professional tone, making it suitable for formal communication where emphasis on intent and calculated risk is needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

upping the ante

Emphasizes increasing the level of investment or risk in a situation.

raising the bar

Focuses on elevating standards or expectations, implying a greater challenge.

escalating the risk

Directly refers to increasing the level of potential danger or negative consequences.

turning up the heat

Emphasizes intensifying the pressure or competition in a situation.

increasing the pressure

Focuses on intensifying the demands or stress in a given situation.

raising the game

Implies an improvement in performance or effort to meet higher demands.

heightening the tension

Highlights the intensification of suspense or pressure in a scenario.

raising expectations

Focuses on increasing what is anticipated or required.

creating a higher-pressure environment

Focuses on establishing conditions of increased intensity and demand.

making it more challenging

General way to express that something is more difficult.

FAQs

How can I use "setting the stakes high" in a sentence?

You can use "setting the stakes high" to describe a situation where someone is deliberately increasing the level of risk or challenge, such as "The company was "setting the stakes high" by launching an aggressive marketing campaign".

What's a similar phrase to "setting the stakes high"?

Alternatives to "setting the stakes high" include "raising the bar", "upping the ante", or "increasing the pressure". Consider the specific nuance you want to convey when choosing an alternative.

Is it appropriate to use "setting the stakes high" in formal writing?

Yes, "setting the stakes high" is appropriate for formal writing, particularly when discussing strategy, competition, or risk management. However, consider the audience and ensure the tone aligns with the overall context.

What does it mean to say someone is "setting the stakes high"?

Saying someone is "setting the stakes high" means they are creating a situation where the potential rewards are greater, but so are the potential consequences or risks. It implies a deliberate attempt to raise the level of challenge or competition.