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at stake meaning and examples

2025-09-09

Meaning

  • At stake means at risk, in danger of being lost, harmed, or affected; or being in a situation where something important is at risk or could be won or lost.

Grammar and Usage

  • Phrase used as a predicative expression:

    • Something is at stake

  • It is not used as a verb but often appears after the verb be.

  • Can refer to money, reputation, success, relationships, or even life.

Structure:

  • be + at stake → "His career is at stake."
  • with + something at stake → "With so much at stake, they worked hard."

Common Phrases

  • "Everything is at stake"
  • "Put something at stake"
  • "With so much at stake"
  • "Lives are at stake"

Collocations

  • money at stake
  • reputation at stake
  • future at stake
  • job at stake
  • success at stake

Examples

  1. His reputation is at stake if he fails this project.
  2. With millions of dollars at stake, the company cannot afford mistakes.
  3. The peace of the region is at stake after the recent conflict.
  4. She knew her job was at stake if she missed another deadline.
  5. The negotiations are crucial because a lot is at stake.
  6. Lives are at stake during natural disasters.
  7. With the championship at stake, the team gave their best performance.
  8. Their friendship is at stake after the big argument.
  • at risk
  • in danger
  • in jeopardy
  • on the line

Antonym

  • safe
  • secure
  • out of danger
  • guaranteed