steps up
Rises to occasion
Steps up means to come forward and take responsibility or action when needed: When no one else volunteered, she stepped up.
It suggests rising to meet a challenge or demand, often implying that others have failed to act.
Someone who steps up increases their effort or commitment: He really stepped up his game this season.
The phrase can also mean to physically approach or ascend.
- stairsSet of steps
- escalatesIncreases in intensity
- climbAscend using effort
- riseMove to higher position
- ascendMove upward
heightens · lift · next level · initiative · answers the call · intensifies · big moment · accountability · progress · leadership · commitment · shows up · volunteers · resolve · comes up · game on · action · determination
- taking actionacts, moves, responds, take action, go for it
- takes onadopts, assumes, accepts, undertakes, shoulders
steps upsteps back
Moves rearward deliberately
backs down · steps aside · backs off · withdraws · retreats
steps upshrinks back
Withdraws in fear
steps back · backs down · cowers · chickens out · shies away
steps uplets up
Diminishes in intensity
slacks off · scales back · dials back · coasts · drops the ball
step, steps, stepped, stepping, stepper, steppers, stepwise, footstep, footsteps