Some significant earnings expected from stake (4)
I believe the answer is:
ante
'expected from stake' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'some significant earnings' is the wordplay.
'some' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue (some of the parts of the word are used).
'ANTE' can be found hidden inside 'significant earnings'.
(Other definitions for ante that I've seen before include "Stake put up before the deal" , "Betting stake" , "Money put at risk" , "Stake put up by a poker-player before receiving cards" , "Poker-player's stake before the deal" .)