penny ante

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See synonyms for: penny ante / penny antes on Thesaurus.com

noun

Cards. a game of poker in which the ante or basic bet is one cent.

Informal. any business arrangement or transaction involving a trifling or paltry sum of money.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of penny ante

An Americanism dating back to 1850–55

Words nearby penny ante

Pennsylvania Dutch, Pennsylvanian, Penn, William, penny, penny-a-liner, penny ante, penny arcade, Penny Black, pennyboy, penny candy, pennycress

Other definitions for penny ante (2 of 2)

penny-ante

[ pen-ee-an-tee ]

/ ˈpɛn iˈæn ti /

adjective Informal.

involving a trifling sum of money; small in amount: a penny-ante investment.

inconsiderable; minor; small-time.

Origin of penny-ante

An Americanism dating back to 1930–35

How to use penny ante in a sentence

Joseph LaRocca says some companies are upping the ante in terms of fending off return fraudsters.
The Insane $11 Billion Scam at Retailers’ Return Desks|M.L. Nestel|December 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They deserve every penny and more: booking a four week tour is a huge job.
How Much Money Does a Band Really Make on Tour?|Jack Conte|December 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The second upped the ante, taking aim at “cray,” “jelly,” “literally,” “teehee,” and “totes.”
Feminist, Bae, Turnt: Time’s ‘Worst Words’ List Is Sexist and Racist|Samantha Allen|November 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“Every single witness is inadmissible, hearsay, triple-hearsay,” said assistant state attorney Penny Brill in court yesterday.
Did Pablo Escobar Frame a Millionaire for Murdering Banana-Shipping Money Launderers?|Jacqui Goddard|November 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Phasellus tristique, eros sit amet maximus tincidunt, enim massa congue nibh, non rutrum lorem ante non lectus.
Test Article|CNN|October 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In 1603 it was ordered that one quart of best ale, or two of small, should be sold for one penny.
Showell's Dictionary of Birmingham|Thomas T. Harman and Walter Showell
Since the end of 1847, not a penny has come into his own pocket either through piano-playing and conducting, or through teaching.
Music-Study in Germany|Amy Fay
A system of supplying school-children with penny dinners is the latest philanthropic movement.
Showell's Dictionary of Birmingham|Thomas T. Harman and Walter Showell
Cert ante hoc tempus vix vnquam Gallis vacatum fuit conuertdis incolarum ad Christum animis.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. II: Acadia, 1612-1614|Various
Nam Sacerdos ille, qui huc ante nos aduenerat, nostro statim adutu in Galliam sua ipse sponte & pro veteri desiderio remigrauit.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. II: Acadia, 1612-1614|Various