step up to the need

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "step up to the need" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when encouraging someone to take action or responsibility in response to a specific requirement or situation. Example: "In times of crisis, it's important for leaders to step up to the need and provide guidance to their teams."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"We're asking New Yorkers to step up to the need".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Dick Gephardt stepped up to the need to step down as permanent House bridesmaid.

The New York Times

As part of the UN interagency response, UNICEF steps up to the needs of children across ethnic lines.

Unicef

As part of the United Nations inter-agency response, UNICEF is stepping up to the needs of children across ethnic lines.

Unicef

We need to step up to the plate and we need to do that at these worlds".

The Guardian - Sport

"But history shows us that the members will step up to the plate when needed".

The New York Times

When you look all over the field there are lots of figures willing to step up to the plate when needed.

The Guardian - Sport

Congress needs to step up to the plate and demand the transparency, accountability and oversight needed to guarantee a robust defense of the 4th Amendment right to privacy.

Huffington Post

We're ready to step up to the plate, but we need partners".

The New York Times

"Programme countries must step up to the plate … We need to have them understand that they must budget for sexual and reproductive health services because if we have enough services … family planning will reduce maternal mortality.

The Guardian

The president and the Congress will step up to the reforms the country needs -- or they will fail the nation in a time of peril.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "step up to the need" when you want to encourage someone to take action in response to a specific, identified requirement. It is effective in contexts where the need is evident and requires immediate attention.

Common error

Avoid using "step up to the need" in overly general situations where a more common phrase like "take responsibility" would suffice. The phrase is most impactful when the need is clearly defined.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "step up to the need" functions as a verbal phrase encouraging or describing the act of taking responsibility in response to a specific requirement. Ludwig AI examples show this phrase used in contexts where action is needed to address particular demands.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "step up to the need" is a verbal phrase used to express the act of accepting responsibility and taking action in response to a specific demand or requirement. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically correct but relatively rare in usage. Predominantly found in news and formal business contexts, the phrase carries a neutral to professional register, suggesting a call to action in situations where immediate accountability is necessary. Similar phrases include ""meet the demand"" and ""rise to the occasion"". When employing this phrase, ensure that the need is well-defined and that a clear action is implied.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Step up to the challenge

Emphasizes facing a difficult task, but is slightly broader than directly addressing a need.

Meet the demand

Similar to addressing the requirement, but highlights fulfilling a specific demand.

Rise to the occasion

Suggests performing well in an unexpected or challenging situation, requiring exceptional effort.

Answer the call

Implies a response to a call for help or action, often in a more urgent or critical situation.

Attend to the demand

Emphasizes responding to a specific demand or request, suggesting a more immediate action.

Address the requirement

Focuses on directly dealing with a specific requirement rather than generally meeting a need.

Take on the responsibility

Highlights accepting the burden of a duty, focusing on obligation rather than the need itself.

Shoulder the responsibility

Similar to taking on the responsibility, this phrase suggests bearing the weight of a duty.

Take the initiative

Focuses on being proactive and starting something, rather than responding to an existing need.

Embrace the necessity

Highlights accepting and acting upon something that is essential or unavoidable.

FAQs

How can I use "step up to the need" in a sentence?

You can use "step up to the need" when you want to describe someone taking on or accepting a challenge or responsibility, particularly when there is a pressing demand or requirement. For instance, "In times of crisis, leaders must "step up to the need" and provide guidance".

What phrases are similar to "step up to the need"?

Similar phrases include "meet the demand", "rise to the occasion", or "step up to the challenge". Each carries a slightly different connotation, but all suggest taking decisive action.

Is it correct to use "step up to the need" in formal writing?

Yes, "step up to the need" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in business or professional contexts where there is a clear requirement or demand that must be addressed. It conveys a sense of urgency and responsibility.

What is the difference between "step up to the need" and "step up to the plate"?

While both phrases imply taking action, "step up to the need" specifically addresses a requirement or demand, whereas "step up to the plate" generally means taking on any challenge or responsibility. The former is more focused on the specific demand being met.