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

He was thought to have been close to a return in the home summer, but ultimately did not take the field until England's only Ashes warm-up game against the Lions at Lilac Hill in November.

From BBC • Mar. 13, 2026

Players who once languished at the end of the bench for Georgia or Ohio State now leap to programs where they can actually take the field.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 24, 2025

In order to get back into the series, England must end a 17-Test winless run in Australia when they take the field at the Adelaide Oval.

From BBC • Dec. 10, 2025

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.

From MarketWatch • Oct. 29, 2025

Today, she didn’t even bother to take the field.

From "Fast Pitch" by Nic Stone

Related Words

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