manning up

Verb

man up (third-person singular simple present mans up, present participle manning up, simple past and past participle manned up)

1. (idiomatic, intransitive) To be brave or tough enough to deal with something in a manner that is considered strong or manly. (Compare man (“brace oneself, steel oneself”))
   • I was wondering when he would man up and marry that girl he knocked up.

   Synonyms:

   woman up, boss up, person up

2. (Of personnel) to assemble, each person manning (attending to) his station, prepared for the departure of an aircraft, ship, etc. (Compare man (“supply with staff; take up position to operate”).)
3. To staff adequately; to staff up; to successfully fill all needed labor positions. (Compare man (“supply with staff”).)
4. To vigorously guard the opponent to whom one is assigned.
   • They must be athletic enough to man up on a solid number two receiver and yet be physical enough to step into the line scrimmage and tackle a running back.2005, Allan Trimble, Coaching football successfully,, Human Kinetics, page 166