take the field

1. Enter a competition, as in The country's best spellers took the field in the national spelling bee. This term originated around 1600 when it meant “to open a military campaign.” The field here is the field of battle. The term has been used figuratively almost as long, the first recorded use being in 1614.

Example Sentences

When the Trojans take the field in Eugene, barring some late lineup change, they won’t have a single transfer from 2025 starting on offense.

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Yet every time England takes the field, it seems to trigger another referendum on Bazball—a term McCullum happens to hate.

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There was a third scratch that took the field down to seven.

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Then he took the field against Aaron Judge and the New York Yankees and struck out 11 while throwing 5 ⅓ no-hit innings.

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Baseball lovers love to watch teams at the USA Baseball National Training Complex, and professional soccer fans delight to see the North Carolina Football Club and the North Carolina Courage soccer players take the field.

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Related Words

• attack 
• battle 
• challenge 
• clash 
• meet 
• protect 
• resist