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 was an amazing game, though. You know, bottom of the th, Carbo ties it up. It was -. It went to . Bottom of the th, in stepped Carlton Fisk, old Pudge. Steps up to the plate. - You know, he's got that weird stance. - Yeah, yeah. And then, boom! He clocks it, you know. High! (..)1997 Good Will Hunting
(..) Irish curse? She don't know. There ain't no Irish curse. - Out! - Stop brushing me back. Stop crowding the plate! Which one will it be? You're gonna get charged, you know that. You think I'm afraid of you, you big fuck? You're crowdin' the fuckin' plate. (..)1997 Good Will Hunting