take the field

Idioms  

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.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

take the field

FOXBOROUGH, Mass.—France and Morocco were about to take the field, and Emily Austin was still crawling through traffic toward Gillette Stadium.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 18, 2026

When Spain and Argentina take the field this weekend in front of a billion people, the World Cup will go to the best team in Europe or the greatest player in history.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 17, 2026

By the time England take the field for the first Test against New Zealand at Lord's on Thursday it will be 145 days since their Ashes humiliation was completed in Sydney.

From BBC ● Jun. 3, 2026

On Thursday, Mendoza will take the field for the first time as a Heisman winner, adding another layer of intensity to his game.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 31, 2025

We were the team about to take the field.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama

Related Words

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