If you want this promotion, you're going to have to 'step up to the plate'. [=you will have to improve your work performance to show that you deserve the promotion]
She has a lot 'on her plate' right now. [=she has a lot of things that she has to deal with right now]
He was handed the job 'on a plate'. [=he was given the job without having to do anything to earn it]
(..) It'll be fun. Go ahead. The corn got into my beans. If you eat them both, you can stay up and watch TV with me. Nah. I'll make her a plate. That's it. That's it. Wow! Wow, this is neato. She doesn't like beans, so I'm not gonna give her any. Put more. Put more on her plate. I'm gonna make her eat them all. - Why doesn't she get to eat beans? - Okay, okay, I'm gonna give her beans. - They're really good. - Watch this. (..)2009 The Lovely Bones