step into the breach
Cover someone's absence
To step into the breach is to take on a responsibility when someone else has failed or is unavailable—filling a gap in a crisis.
From military imagery of defending a gap in fortifications: When the lead actor fell ill, the understudy stepped into the breach.
The phrase implies both urgency and willingness to help.
- bell the catAttempt a dangerous feat
- take one for the teamAccept harm for others' gain
- gapUnfilled space between
- reliefEasing of distress
- chargeCost or accusation
fill the gap · stand · accountability · shoulder the burden · take charge · duty · courage · heroism · cover · come to the rescue · selflessness · rise to the occasion · step forward · obligation · fill · pinch-hit · stopgap · in a pinch
step into the breachsit on one's hands
Choose inaction over involvement
do nothing · look the other way · twiddle one's thumbs · stand by · turn a blind eye
step into the breachpass the buck
Transfer responsibility elsewhere
leave someone in the lurch · drop the ball · bail out · leave someone high and dry
stepped, stepping, stepper, breach, breaches, breached, breaching, breachable