[take] up the gauntlet
1
to agree to undertake a challenge
The idiom "take up the gauntlet" has its origin in medieval times, where a knight would throw down his metal gauntlet as a challenge to a duel. Over time, the phrase has evolved to refer to any situation where a challenge is issued, and someone boldly accepts it.
- He has been waiting for a worthy opponent to take up the gauntlet for months.
- If you think you can beat me in a race, I'll take up the gauntlet.
- When the challenge was issued, she immediately took up the gauntlet and proved her skills.