Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

step up to the plate

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.44 in modern English

Syllables: step up -to the -plate
IPA

25

Scrabble Score

16

Letters

3

Syllables

9

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To initiate action; to assume or take a responsibility.

American usage

Example Sentences

"Surround yourself with good people who can reliably step up to the plate and solve problems when they occur."
"When you introduce a new and very important issue, you are likely to inspire some of those who have been sitting back to step up to the plate and take on the new role of promoting ethical practice."
"However, every time you fail to do something, you make it harder to step up to the plate for the next challenge. Think of this ability and willingness to step up as a competency or skill that you can develop over time."
""There is something in railway people that has encouraged them to step up to the plate," says Starr."

Etymology

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

Usage

American usage

Inflected Forms

steps up to the plate (present, singular) stepping up to the plate (participle, present) stepped up to the plate (participle, past) stepped up to the plate (past)

Phrases

step up

Synonyms

volunteer offer

Questions

What does step up to the plate mean?: To initiate action; to assume or take a responsibility.
Where does step up to the plate come from?: An allusion to taking one's turn at bat in baseball.

How to pronounce step up to the plate

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “step up to the plate”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “step up to the plate”.
Repeat and practice — Say “step up to the plate” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.