steps up to the plate
Accepts the challenge
Steps up to the plate means to take responsibility or accept a challenge when the situation demands it.
The phrase comes from baseball, where a batter literally steps to home plate to face the pitcher.
In broader use, it suggests someone rising to meet a difficult moment: When the project leader quit, Janet stepped up to the plate.
- batterUncooked cake mixture
- batter's boxHitter's designated standing zone
- on deck circleDesignated batter warm-up area
- preparednessState of being equipped
- accountabilityObligation for one's actions
initiative · proactivity · challenge · pitcher · game time · big moment · clutch performance · takes charge · answers the call · fortitude · dependability · reliability · courage · ownership · stewardship · boldness · resolve · opportunity
steps up to the plateshrinks back
Withdraws in fear
backs down · chickens out · cowers · runs away · shies away
steps up to the platestands aside
Withdraws to allow passage
holds back · hangs back · stands by · passes the buck · bows out
steps up to the platedrops the ball
Fails a key responsibility
walks away · bails out · throws in the towel · quits · gives up
steps, stepped, stepping, stepper, steppers, plate, plates, plated, plating