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]
(..) plant it in a park so it can have roots. You should be watering me if you want me to grow. You're right. Wait! They gotta be jumping out of the plate. They gotta be alive. It's been a long time, Leon. I missed you. - And you missed some nice jobs too. - Been training. (..)1994 Léon: The Professional