Equal to the challenge

Reader question:

Please explain “equal to the challenge”, as in: When you have a challenge and the response is equal to the challenge, that’s called “success”.

My comments:

A challenge is something that’s not easy to deal with, but one that puts one’s strength, skill, ability to test. To be equal is to have the same quantity or quality (of what is required to meet the challenge). “Equal to the challenge”, therefore, means you’re able to deal with it, after putting in the effort, both physical and mentally.

That’s quite a simple (boring) explanation, no?

To elaborate and make it sound more elegant, equal to the challenge means that the challenge is great, but your abilities are equally great, or great in equal measure.

In short, the challenge may be daunting and formidable, but you have the wherewithal or necessary means, i.e. the requisite qualities, such as strength, skill, heart to handle it.

Still in other words, you’ve got what it takes to deal with it and succeed.

Similar terms include “equal to the scene” or “equal to the occasion” – you find yourself in a challenging situation but are smart enough to handle it.

“Equal to the challenge”, by the way, is a cliché that’s often found in a soccer game report. I say so because as a fan of English soccer, I’ve encountered this, well, tiresome phrase innumerous times, and mostly in describing a good save from a goalkeeper. The striker (the main scorer), you know, would make a spectacular shot on goal but the goal keeper would be described as “equal to the challenge”. That simply means a good shot but no goal because the goalkeeper had sprang up and saved it, or pushed it out, either over the bar or beyond the post.

In other words, the goalkeeper has made a save that’s every bit as brilliant as the striker’s shot is spectacular.

Alright, enough said, I think. Here are media examples:

1. Striker Fernando Torres may still be some way short of his lethal best but he underlined his quality - and importance to Liverpool - with a brilliant strike to defeat 10-man West Brom at Anfield.

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After the match, Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson paid tribute to the quality of Fernando Torres after his strike proved to be enough to beat ten-man West Brom.

“It was hard-fought, especially the first half when we weren't firing on all cylinders and they were playing well and causing us problems,” said the Liverpool manager. "I thought we got better as the game went on and we got the points thanks to a world-class strike.

“It was an excellent piece of play, starting with Pepe Reina’s throw and then the build-up down the left with Dirk Kuyt and the ball played in and the volley.

“It was good goal to win the game and I thought we were going to get a second when Steven Gerrard produced a piece of magic to find Fernando at the far post but (Scott) Carson was equal to that.

- Liverpool 1 - 0 West Bromwich Albion, Torres nets winner, August 29, 2010.

2. Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart produced an outstanding display to deny Tottenham victory at White Hart Lane.

Hart saved acrobatically from Jermain Defoe, Tom Huddlestone and Benoit Assou-Ekotto as Spurs started strongly.

The excellent Gareth Bale struck the foot of the post with a rasping drive as a misfiring City were overwhelmed.

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However, Spurs boss Harry Redknapp’s side still looked dangerous and created chances to win the game.

A fast break from the home side gave substitute Pavlyuchenko two chances to test Hart and the goalkeeper was again equal to the challenge.

- Tottenham 0 - 0 Man City, BBC Sports, August 14, 2010.

3. World No. 1 Serena Williams has claimed her 12th Grand Slam title after beating Belgian Justine Henin in a compelling three-set Australian Open final at Rod Laver Arena on Saturday.

The 28-year-old American extended her impressive run in Grand Slam finals, with the 6-4 3-6 6-2 win marking her 12th victory in 15 Slam deciders.

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It was the Belgian who looked lively early in the second set, claiming a break in the third game. Equal to the challenge, Williams broke straight back and then held to go ahead 3-2.

4. Gore knew scientists who were coming to the conclusion that it was already too late, that we were on an unstoppable train to disaster. He understood why they thought that way, but he couldn’t allow himself to believe the game was over. It was sheer defeatism to say that the diplomats in Bali had already missed their chance. Gore wasn’t about to give in to that. He knew one thing: It was our moral obligation to try. “When people finally understood that this is urgent and solvable,” he said, “they will demand action. Until then, our politics won’t be equal to the challenge.”

- ‘The Climate War’, New York Times, August 2, 2010.