step up to the plate

English

Etymology

An allusion to taking one's turn at bat in baseball.

Pronunciation

• Audio (AU):

  (file)

Verb

step up to the plate

1. (chiefly US, idiomatic) To initiate action; to assume or take a responsibility.
   • 2008, Beth Stackpole, "The IT pro's vacation planner," Computerworld, 12 Jun. (retrieved 26 June 2008):

     Surround yourself with good people who can reliably step up to the plate and solve problems when they occur.