[General] to step to a plate/ fill someone’s shoes

[vil]

Dear teachers,

Would you tell me whether I am right about my interpretation of the expressions in bold in the following sentences?

Europe - ‘to step up to the plate.'

to step to a plate = to move into a position where one is ready to do a task/ to take responsibility for doing something

Polenz said that Europe was not capable of filling the US's shoes in matters of world politics, but stressed that a more politically divided America needed Europe's support: "It will be important for us to put more effort into our relationship because we need to work together when one partner can't carry as much of the burden."

fill someone’s shoes = assume someone's position or duties, especially in a satisfactory way

Thanks for your efforts.

Regards,

V

 

[poorboy_9]

Dear Vil, I agree with both of your interpretations. The first also has a baseball connotation in that a batter steps to "homeplate" where he procedes ( or tries!) to hit the ball.
B.