At stake
Meaning
Refers to something that is at risk of being lost or gained, often implying significant importance or consequences.
Origin
The phrase "at stake" draws its meaning from the 16th-century world of gambling and wagers. A "stake" originally referred to the sum of money or valuable item literally laid down or "staked" in a game or contest—like attaching it to a marker post—ready to be claimed by the winner or forfeited by the loser. This vivid image of physically placing something on the line, risking it all on the outcome, transitioned from the gaming table to broader usage, encapsulating any situation where an important result hangs in the balance, with significant consequences for what has been "staked."
Examples
- With the championship on the line, every play in the final game felt like the team's entire season was at stake.
- Her professional reputation was at stake after the accusations were made public.