pick up stakes —(also: pull up stakes) leave one’s home, etc. and move on to another place:
- “I’m assuming you’re in a position to pick up stakes in a hurry.” “As long as it will take to pack two bags.”
raise the stakes—(Gambling) lay a higher stake than one’s opponent:
- You can bet against that particular player, continually raising the stakes, until all the other players are “raised out.”