step up to the plate
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
To deliver beyond expectations.
Where it’s used:
Used
Widespread English
Sources & notes
Imported from Wikipedia “English-language idioms” (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-29), pending review.
Common questions
What does “step up to the plate” mean?
To deliver beyond expectations.
Is “step up to the plate” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.