step into the breach

step into the breach (formal)

to do someone's work when they are suddenly not able to do it. Professor Collier stepped into the breach when the guest lecturer failed to turn up.

See also: step

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step into the breach

to do work that someone else is not able or not willing to do. Other institutions are stepping into the breach to make loans where banks will not.

Usage notes: also used in the form throw someone into the breach: Friedman was thrown into the breach when our head coach suddenly quit.

See also: step