rose to the challenge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rose to the challenge" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when someone has faced and overcome a difficult task or situation. For example, "Sarah rose to the challenge when she was asked to lead the project despite her lack of experience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Believers rose to the challenge.

The New York Times

Germany largely rose to the challenge.

The Economist

But Cassel rose to the challenge.

The New York Times - Sports

The other guests rose to the challenge.

The New York Times - Arts

The Blue Devils rose to the challenge.

The New York Times - Sports

Scientists just rose to the challenge.

The Washington Post

Mr. Sandoval rose to the challenge.

The New York Times - Food

"She rose to the challenge well".

The New York Times - Arts

But America rose to the challenge.

The New York Times

In the first case ECOWAS rose to the challenge.

The Economist

They rose to the challenge of the repertory.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rose to the challenge" to highlight instances where individuals or groups effectively overcame significant difficulties and achieved positive outcomes.

Common error

Avoid using "rose to the challenge" for everyday tasks or minor inconveniences. This phrase is best reserved for situations that genuinely tested someone's abilities or resources.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rose to the challenge" functions as a predicate, indicating successful action in response to a demanding situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used. The phrase typically follows a subject (person, team, organization) that has successfully overcome an obstacle.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "rose to the challenge" is a widely used idiom that describes successfully overcoming a difficult or demanding situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and appropriate for use in various contexts. It appears most frequently in news and media, followed by formal business settings. When using the phrase, consider whether it truly reflects a significant accomplishment, as misapplication to trivial matters can diminish its impact. Alternative phrases, such as "met the challenge" or "took on the challenge", can provide slightly different nuances, but the core meaning remains consistent: effectively responding to adversity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Met the challenge

Focuses on the act of facing the challenge directly, rather than necessarily excelling.

Stepped up to the plate

Emphasizes taking responsibility and initiative in a difficult situation, with a touch of informality.

Took on the challenge

Highlights the acceptance of the challenge, suggesting a proactive approach.

Overcame the obstacle

Focuses on the successful overcoming of a specific barrier.

Exceeded expectations

Highlights surpassing anticipated performance levels, implying a particularly impressive response.

Performed admirably

Emphasizes the commendable nature of the performance, highlighting the quality of effort.

Distinguished oneself

Highlights standing out positively, by successfully dealing with the challenge.

Showed resilience

Emphasizes the ability to recover quickly from difficulties, underlining the strength demonstrated.

Demonstrated capability

Focuses on proving competence and skill through successful performance.

Triumphed over adversity

Stresses the successful overcoming of significant hardship or misfortune, highlighting the magnitude of the accomplishment.

FAQs

How can I use "rose to the challenge" in a sentence?

You can use "rose to the challenge" to describe someone or something that successfully overcame a difficult task or situation. For example, "Despite the setbacks, the team "rose to the challenge" and delivered a successful project".

What's a more formal way to say "rose to the challenge"?

For a more formal alternative, consider phrases such as "met the challenge", "exceeded expectations", or "performed admirably". Each of these provides a slightly different nuance while maintaining a professional tone.

Is it correct to say "raise to the challenge" instead of "rose to the challenge"?

No, "raise to the challenge" is not correct. The correct idiom is ""rose to the challenge"", using the past tense of "rise", indicating that someone successfully responded to a difficult situation.

What are some other phrases similar to "rose to the challenge" that highlight resilience?

Phrases such as "overcame the obstacle", "triumphed over adversity", or "showed resilience" also emphasize the ability to bounce back and succeed despite difficulties.