0
Jobb Posted 22 years ago
Grammar
Step up to the plate?
Plate =?
Context:
Insurmountable margin in Ohio ensures Bush the winner? Kerry is now in a dangerous situation.
Dangerous situation? Let's see how well he is at math and whether or not he'll step up to the plate like a man and concede.
Context:
Insurmountable margin in Ohio ensures Bush the winner? Kerry is now in a dangerous situation.
Dangerous situation? Let's see how well he is at math and whether or not he'll step up to the plate like a man and concede.
Top answer
Hello Jobb I would have taken this for a baseball metaphor, at first sight: the 'plate' is where the batter stands. 'To step up to the plate' is to take your turn as a batter. In this context it seems odd, though, as the phrase (when used metaphorically) would usually mean 'to accept a challenge'.
- Hello Jobb I would have taken this for a baseball metaphor, at first sight: the 'plate' is where the batter stands.
- 'To step up to the plate' is to take your turn as a batter.
- In this context it seems odd, though, as the phrase (when used metaphorically) would usually mean 'to accept a challenge'.
- Here, the batter concedes as soon as he reaches the 'plate'.
- I'm not sure the crowd would approve.
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
4 Answers
0
Hello Jobb
I would have taken this for a baseball metaphor, at first sight: the 'plate' is
where the batter stands. 'To step up to the plate' is to take your turn as a
batter.
In this context it seems odd, though, as the phrase (when used metaphorically)
would usually mean 'to accept a challenge'. Here, the batter concedes as soon
as he reaches the 'plate'
I would have taken this for a baseball metaphor, at first sight: the 'plate' is
where the batter stands. 'To step up to the plate' is to take your turn as a
batter.
In this context it seems odd, though, as the phrase (when used metaphorically)
would usually mean 'to accept a challenge'. Here, the batter concedes as soon
as he reaches the 'plate'
00
0
MrP
Consider. A .300 batting average is a "bench mark" separating the above average hitter from the pack. With the crowd's approval notwithstanding even a "bench mark" batter who "steps up to the plate" will fail seven out of ten times. Perhaps football's "Hail Mary Pass" would provide better odds for being successful.
Joe
Consider. A .300 batting average is a "bench mark" separating the above average hitter from the pack. With the crowd's approval notwithstanding even a "bench mark" batter who "steps up to the plate" will fail seven out of ten times. Perhaps football's "Hail Mary Pass" would provide better odds for being successful.
Joe
00
Hello Joe, welcome to English Forums!
True enough. But I suppose in this sentence, the batter is likely to achieve an
impregnable .000 batting average, as he seems to be required to concede
at the very moment he 'steps up to the plate'! It would be a quick game.
MrP
True enough. But I suppose in this sentence, the batter is likely to achieve an
impregnable .000 batting average, as he seems to be required to concede
at the very moment he 'steps up to the plate'! It would be a quick game.
MrP
0
Related Questions