sweeten the pot

English

Pronunciation

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Verb

sweeten the pot (third-person singular simple present sweetens the pot, present participle sweetening the pot, simple past and past participle sweetened the pot)

1. (idiomatic) To increase a wager.

   He sweetened the pot since there were no takers in the office pool.

2. (idiomatic) To make something more desirable.

   Beginning next year the museum will sweeten the pot for season pass members by offering them a 10% discount in the gift shop in addition to unlimited free admission.

Synonyms

• up the ante
• raise the stakes

See also

• sugarcoat the pill

Further reading

• “sweeten the pot”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–2022.