high-stakes
UK[ˌhaɪˈsteɪks]US[ˌhaɪˈsteɪks]
adj
Involving the possibility of great loss or serious consequences if the outcome is unsuccessful.
adj
Involving high risks but also potentially high rewards.
Morpheme Breakdown
high
stakes
high
great in amount/degree
stakes
something risked or gambled
Etymology
The term 'high-stakes' is a modern compound adjective formed from two native English words. 'High,' with ancient roots meaning tall or elevated, evolved to signify a large degree or amount. 'Stakes' originates from the physical post used to mark a boundary or a wager, with its gambling sense solidifying by the mid-16th century. The compound logic is transparent: when the 'stakes'—that is, what is risked in a bet or venture—are 'high' in value, the potential for significant loss or gain is correspondingly great. This literal gambling terminology was extended metaphorically to describe any situation, from finance to politics, where the risks and potential consequences are severe.
Analysis
Structure: high (great in amount/degree) + stakes (something risked or gambled)
- high: From Old English hēah, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch hoog and German hoch. In this compound, it functions as an intensifier meaning "great in amount or degree."
- stakes: From Old English staca 'a post, stake'. The modern meaning derives from the practice of placing a wager (money or an item) on a post (stake). In this compound, it functions as a noun meaning "something risked or gambled."
Examples
The company is entering a high-stakes negotiation for the merger.
It was a high-stakes poker game where players could win or lose fortunes in a single hand.
The surgeon performed a high-stakes operation to save the patient's life.