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]
(..) Hey. Do you remember that ghost at the old house? Remember the one in the garage? I protected you, right? You made a battle axe out of a ruler and a paper plate. Yeah. See, nothing is gonna get you while I'm around, okay? But you're not always gonna be around. Yeah, well... Hey. (..)2015 Jurassic World