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]
(..) I'm not, I'm just asking how fast... Honey! Great. First the car, now I gotta pay to fix the table... What happened to the car? Here. I'm getting a new plate. So, how about you, Vi? How was school? - Nothing to report. - You've hardly touched your food. - I'm not hungry for meatloaf. (..)2004 The Incredibles