take up the gauntlet

To accept or attempt a challenge or invitation, as to fight, argue, or compete. When it comes to civil rights issues, Mary is always eager to take up the gauntlet. When the heavyweight champion boasted that nobody could beat him, no one expected this newcomer to take up the gauntlet.

Common Names:

Name	Pronounced	Usage
Javier	hah-VYER	Spanish
Carol	['kærəl]
Anastasia	ah-nah-stah-SEE-yah (Russian), a-nə-STAY-zhə (English), a-nə-STAS-yə (English), ah-nahs-TAH-syah (Spanish), ah-nahs-TAH-zyah (Italian)	Greek, Russian, Ukrainian, Belarusian, English, Spanish, Italian, Ancient Greek
Doran	['dɔ:ræn]
DÖLf	DULF	Limburgish
Saveliy	-	Russian