stepped up to the plate
Accepted the challenge
Stepped up to the plate means took responsibility or rose to a challenge when needed.
The phrase comes from baseball, where batters must enter the batter's box to face the pitcher.
Outside sports, it describes someone who volunteers or performs when stakes are high: When the project manager quit, Sarah stepped up to the plate.
- battingSwinging at pitches
- batter's boxHitter's designated standing zone
- proactivityTendency to anticipate needs
- accountabilityObligation for one's actions
- courageFortitude facing danger
pitcher · dugout · decision-making · integrity · resolve · curveball · umpire · determination · home run · perseverance · boldness · grand slam · effort · bases loaded · ambition · foul ball · swing for the fences · clutch performance
stepped up to the plateshrank back
Withdrew from something frightening
backed down · chickened out · cowered · flinched · got cold feet
stepped up to the platepassed the buck
Transferred accountability elsewhere
shrank back · backed down · chickened out · ducked out · dodged
stepped up to the platestood by
Supported or awaited
took a back seat · rode the coattails · free-rode · kept one's head down