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step up to the plate

step up to the plate

Date: May 28 2009

Quote

1. Quote - Listen to the quote and guess what the slang means.

“In tough times, my friends always step up to the plate.”

- Actress Jennifer Garner on friendship. (People)

Definition

1. Definition - Study the definition.

accept a responsibility or challenge

2. Use - Learn how the slang is used.

Jennifer Garner and her husband Ben Affleck love to watch their favorite team, the Boston Red Sox, play baseball. On game days, they’re often seen in the stands, cheering for the players. So it’s not surprising to hear Jennifer use a slang expression that comes from baseball.

In baseball, when a player steps up to the plate, he gets into position to hit the ball. The plate in this case is home plate. When it’s his turn to swing, a player will stand on home plate, raise his bat, and wait for the pitcher to throw him the ball. Hopefully, he’ll score a point by hitting a home run, or at least make it to first base.

But you don’t have to be a baseball player to step up to the plate. Whenever you take on a responsibility or meet a challenge, you’re stepping up to the plate. Jennifer Garner says that her friends always step up to the plate and support her whenever she’s going through a hard time. It sounds like they’re the kind of friends who would make great teammates.

Examples

1. Examples - Hear some example sentences.

“When my mother got sick, my dad really stepped up to the plate and took care of us kids.”

“Christy always steps up to the plate when there is an important project to do the office.”

“Thanks for stepping up to the plate last week. You’re always there for me when I need you.”

Winners

1. Winners - See who guessed the slang definition correctly.

VOLTS it refers to take on or accept a challenge or a responsibility.
by VOLTSSuper Member!
Rahma MD hmmm ... try to come in to our problems and help to solve it.
by Rahma MD
fanaimi if i step up to the plate, i'm ready for the challenge, and i bring myself into play
by fanaimi
lalobrown To move into the position where one is ready to do a task. ...based on the baseball meaning of: step up to the plate (move into position to hit the ball)
by lalobrown
Unless It must mean:Be ready to do a task or something like that when someone is in a hard way,in another words,to accept or take a responsibility.
by Unless
I think 'step up to the plate' means' stand by someone when someone is in trouble' or 'cheer someone up when he or she is feeling depressed'.
by Mr.Bean's wife
to show initiative, not to hesitate to do what needs to be done.
by RadistkaAnn
Maja_Roxy means that they are always there for her
by Maja_Roxy
be brave to face the tough things.
by CatherineVanilla
Aneet That they´re better friends than usually. And that they can help her.
by Aneet
Liaa to take responsibility, to assume responsibility
by Liaa
melamarc your friends always there to support or help you in ur problems no matter what...
by melamarc
sofree to initiatively take the challenge together.
by sofree

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Comments

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feifei21

feifei21

China

English studying is a though thing but I’d like to set up to the plate.

02:10 AM Jun 09 2011 |

s id

Saudi Arabia

 in touhg time i think the real friends and relatives could step up to the plate .

10:20 PM Jul 27 2009 |

Sylvia Shen

China

support, stand by my side

05:25 AM Jul 23 2009 |

Marcelolic

Marcelolic

Brazil

Sometimes I’m kind a “step up to the plate” for some friends…Sometimes people need that you just hear them ;)

12:45 AM Jun 03 2009 |

Eydo

Eydo

Turkey

step up to the platedo your best, take action, take your turn  “It’s time for me to act. It’s time to step up to the plate.”

05:22 PM Jun 02 2009 |

Eydo

Eydo

Turkey

JFU

05:19 PM Jun 02 2009 |

alLblue

alLblue

China

lol…"step up to the plate"~ never played baseball before..this slang is interesting :)

03:47 PM Jun 02 2009 |

ericzx

ericzx

China

I'm really in a  tough times now, I hope my friends could step up to the plate~

10:40 AM Jun 02 2009 |

kimarr_boink

South Korea

"step up to the plate"wow this is really good quote to use=]!

09:44 AM Jun 02 2009 |

autumn leaf

China

Thank someone for stepping up to the plate when I need help that someone is always there for me.

06:06 AM Jun 02 2009 |

julee

julee

Saudi Arabia

does this mean support??

10:14 PM Jun 01 2009 |

Rufita

Rufita

Kazakhstan

it's nice! so beatifull and and'll remember it

03:32 PM Jun 01 2009 |

Crazy_Monk

Crazy_Monk

Russian Federation

Let's fly together let's cry together… Be with me and i'll care of u) 

09:48 PM May 31 2009 |

***angel***

Italy

well done! good job..people that love  you always might step up to the plate!..Supporting is very important in every kind of relatioonship!

04:20 PM May 31 2009 |

songlin043@gmail.com

China

fine

03:19 PM May 31 2009 |

laurrence

laurrence

China

would like to accept the challenge with courage.

09:43 AM May 31 2009 |

laurrence

laurrence

China

good lesson.

09:42 AM May 31 2009 |

刘雪花

China

well,it's quite easy to learn this usefull slang. great.

11:15 AM May 30 2009 |

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