Phrase guide

take up the gauntlet

verb · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To accept a challenge.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • He doesn't read Greek, but he took up the gauntlet and did his best to understand the letter, anyway.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

See throw down the gauntlet. (Cf. French relever le gant)

Across languages

Translations

11 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Bulgarian: приемам предизвикателство (priemam predizvikatelstvo) — accept a challenge
  • Catalan: prendre el guant — accept a challenge
  • Finnish: ottaa haaste vastaan — accept a challenge
  • French: relever le gant — accept a challenge
  • Hebrew: הֵרִים אֶת הַכְּפָפָה (herím et hakfafá) — accept a challenge
  • Indonesian: mengambil tantangan — accept a challenge
  • Italian: raccogliere il guanto — accept a challenge
  • Russian: подня́ть перчатку (podnjátʹ perčatku) — accept a challenge
  • Russian: приня́ть вы́зов (prinjátʹ výzov) — accept a challenge
  • Scottish Gaelic: rach cùrsa nan slat — accept a challenge
  • Spanish: recoger el guante — accept a challenge