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step up to the plate

   Also found in: Wikipedia 0.01 sec.
step up to the plate 
1. Lit. [for a batter in baseball] to move near home plate in preparation for striking the ball when it is pitched. The batter stepped up to the plate and glared at the pitcher.
2. Fig. to move into a position where one is ready to do a task. It's time for Tom to step up to the plate and take on his share of work.
See also: plate, step, up

step up to the plate
to take responsibility for doing something It is time companies stepped up to the plate and made sure the meat they sell is safe to eat.
Related vocabulary: step in
Etymology: based on the baseball meaning of step up to the plate (move into position to hit the ball)
See also: plate, step, up


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People move on in their lives and mature, step up to the plate and become better people for having been through those situations.
Youth America Grand Prix is always cause for celebration, not only because so many young people step up to the plate (this year 132 schools from 13 countries participated), but also because the grown-ups put on a darn good show.
When we became aware that the only thing holding back Sammy Sosa's Foundation from its mission was the transportation, UPS felt compelled to step up to the plate," said Jim Kelly, chairman and CEO of UPS.
 
 
 
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