sweetened the pot

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.

   Synonyms:

   up the ante, raise the stakes

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.