“Ante up” began in card games, where players put money in the pot before play. Today it also means to pay or contribute what is required.

“Draw the short straw” means being chosen for an unpleasant task or bad outcome by chance. The phrase comes from an old selection method.

Deprecate means to phase something out. Depreciate means to lose value. Learn the difference with clear examples.

“Pass the buck” began in poker, where a marker showed who dealt next. Over time, it came to mean shifting blame or responsibility.