Take up the gauntlet

Origin

In the dramatic world of medieval chivalry, a formal challenge was a matter of honor and often life or death. A knight would throw his gauntlet—a heavily armored glove—at the feet of his adversary to signify an open challenge to combat. The act of "taking up the gauntlet" by the challenged knight meant he accepted the duel, committing himself to the fight and its potentially fatal consequences. This vivid, physical ritual from the age of chivalry solidified its place in language as a potent metaphor for accepting any formidable challenge.