rise to the occasion/challenge
phrase
: to make the special effort that is required to successfully deal with a difficult situation
No one was sure if he could handle the pressure of making a speech, but he rose to the occasion and did an excellent job.
When the company needed to increase its sales, its employees rose to the challenge.
Cite this Entry
“Rise to the occasion/challenge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rise%20to%20the%20occasion%2Fchallenge. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
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