rise to the occasion

rise to the occasion

To increase one's effort in response to a challenging situation. If you're going to lead this team, you've got to rise to the occasion and start motivating them. It was a tough act to follow, but the band rose to the occasion and played the best set of their career.
See also: occasion, rise
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

rise to the occasion

Fig. to meet the challenge of an event; to try extra hard to do a task. John was able to rise to the occasion and make the conference a success. It was a big challenge, but he rose to the occasion.
See also: occasion, rise
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

rise to the occasion

Show unexpected skill in dealing with a difficulty that arises, as in The leading man broke his leg in the first act but his understudy rose to the occasion and was rewarded with excellent reviews . [Mid-1800s]
See also: occasion, rise
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

rise to the occasion

perform better than usual in response to a special situation or event.
See also: occasion, rise
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

rise to the ocˈcasion/ˈchallenge

do something successfully in a difficult situation, emergency, etc: When the lead singer became ill, Cathy had to take her place. Everyone thought she rose to the occasion magnificently. This company must be prepared to rise to the challenge of a rapidly changing market.
See also: challenge, occasion, rise
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

rise to the occasion

To find the ability to deal with an unexpected challenge.
See also: occasion, rise
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • rise to (something)
  • an all-out effort
  • better (to be) safe than sorry
  • better safe than sorry
  • at (one's) doorstep
  • at doorstep
  • at expense
  • at somebody's expense
  • at someone's expense
  • at (one's) expense
References in periodicals archive
However, King believes they have what it takes to emerge victorious in the event to book their spot in the Final - and he is hoping they can rise to the occasion on the biggest stage.
Danny feels like a King after GB call; SPEEDWAY
POPULAR singer Gabrielle is preparing to rise to the occasion when she makes a triumphant return to the North East later this summer.
Singer set for North East return
While chairing a high level meeting to review the overall security situation of the country, Prime Minster said that all political forces must rise to the occasion so that national consensus is evolved to address the problems faced by the country
All resources to be utilised to ensure security: PM
"These are the cards we have been dealt, so we've got to accept it and move on and I've no doubt the players brought in will rise to the occasion," said Devine.
DEVINE: IT IS CHANCE TO SHINE.
A decade on from being voted Football Writers Player of the Year, Southall showed that he can still rise to the occasion by denying Paul Scholes with a superb double stop that ensured Everton won the FA Cup - their last trophy to date.
Football: A hat-trick of great Southall saves; A DECADE ON FROM GOODISON NEVILLE SOUTHALL SPEAKS EXCLUSIVELY ON EVERTON 10 YEARS LATER
Despite head coach Jon Sharp and a whole host of his Super League players looking to inspire the Under 21s from the sidelines, the Giants were unable to rise to the occasion.
Supers fail to inspire
They are capable of anything away from Ninian Park, and the more difficult the task, the more they rise to the occasion.
City up for tough test
However, Wenger must now consider whether stand-in keeper Manuel Almunia will finally rise to the occasion or if he will continue to suffer
FOOTBALL: Wenger backs keeper
The two Keanes, O'Shea, Given, Holland and Duff will rise to the occasion, particularly with 30,000 travelling fans turning the Stade de France into a sea of green.
Lay 1of the day
Vogts believes Celtic will rise to the occasion. He said, ``I think it will be an easier match for Celtic.
Football: Vogts backs Celtic's bid
Though he has a lot on his plate, Burrus says he can rise to the occasion. "Every generation has its challenges.
Delivering during a crisis: postal union chief is taking the reigns at a tough time. (Newsmakers)
The Pope explains that solidarity, justice and peace are America's founding principles, and that he wishes Americans would rise to the occasion and lead the common struggle against humanity's traditional enemies, "poverty, disease and violence." He called for a "revolution of opportunity," to have the whole world share in a dignified existence.
Needed: a new Marshall plan
"The amazing thing about the insurance business is that it always manages to rise to the occasion when this happens.
Batter Up
No matter how surreal or outlandish Watergate became, Liddy always managed to rise to the occasion. When, after the failed June 17 break-in, Liddy volunteers to John Dean to have himself killed, we wonder which scenario is crazier: if Liddy is trying to impress the weak-stomached Dean with his bravado, or if he really means it.
Will: The Autobiography of G. Gordon Liddy
Pucci's dancers aren't often asked to do the same, and might not rise to the occasion if they were.
Peter Pucci Plus Dancers