rise to the occasion

Idioms  

1. Show unexpected skill in dealing with a difficulty that arises, as in The leading man broke his leg in the first act but his understudy rose to the occasion and was rewarded with excellent reviews. [Mid-1800s]

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Example Sentences

It’s a master class in a hard truth of crisis management: You don’t rise to the occasion…you fall to the level of your drills.

From The Wall Street Journal

For all the suspensions of disbelief required of a viewer, “Beast of War” might sway him or her by the quality of the acting and the way men under duress rise to the occasion—or don’t.

From The Wall Street Journal

“To see him rise to the occasion… was very satisfying.”

From Los Angeles Times

Once you’ve got something warm in the bowl, reach for greens that can rise to the occasion.

From Salon

Against North Macedonia, his players showed how emphatically they can rise to the occasion.

From BBC