stepping up to the plate
Accepting the challenge
Stepping up to the plate means accepting a challenge or taking responsibility when needed.
The phrase comes from baseball, where a batter steps into the batter's box beside home plate to face the pitcher.
The figurative sense emphasizes readiness to act when it counts: When the project manager quit, Sarah stepped up to the plate.
Often shortened to step up.
- batter's boxHitter's designated standing zone
- taking chargeAssuming leadership or control
- rise to the occasionSucceed when challenged
- answering the callActing when needed
- intensifyIncrease in degree
accountability · initiative · take the lead · courage · strike zone · ownership · determination · swing · risk-taking · leadership · boldness · man up · commitment · proactivity · game plan · bases loaded · big leagues · clutch moment
stepping up to the plateshrinking back
Withdrawing from perceived threat
backing down · chickening out · running away · passing the buck · turning tail
stepping up to the platestanding by
Ready to act
hanging back · holding back · dragging one's feet · procrastinating · fence-sitting