stɛp ʌp tə ðə pleɪt
Sports
neutral
intermediate
- Literally:
- walk to home plate in baseball to take a turn at batting
What does "step up to the plate" mean?
to take responsibility or action when it is needed
Examples
- When the team leader quit, Maria stepped up to the plate and took over.
- It's time for someone to step up to the plate and address this problem.
- He always steps up to the plate when things get tough.
Origin
From baseball, where the batter must walk up to home plate to face the pitcher.
How to use it
Used when someone needs to take initiative or responsibility.
Similar expressions
rise to the occasion
take charge
take the bull by the horns
Opposites
shy away
back down
pass the buck
Related idioms
- no pain no gain
Success requires hard work and sacrifice
- ball is in your court
It's your turn to take action or make a decision
- like riding a bicycle
A skill that, once learned, is never forgotten
- drop the ball
To fail to do something important; to make a mistake
- level playing field
A situation where everyone has an equal opportunity
- on the ball
Alert and competent
Use it in a practice answer
Try "step up to the plate" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.