挺身 (tǐng shēn) — (figurative) to step forward bravely (in 挺身而出); (literal) to straighten one's back

Definition

Examples

• 关键时刻，他挺身而出，承担了所有责任。
  Guān jiàn shí kè, tā tǐng shēn ér chū, chéng dān le suǒ yǒu zé rèn.
  At the critical moment, he stepped forward and took all the responsibility.
• 面对危险，没有人敢挺身而出。
  Miàn duì wēi xiǎn, méi yǒu rén gǎn tǐng shēn ér chū.
  Facing danger, no one dared to step forward.
• 他挺起胸膛，大声说：“我来！”
  Tā tǐng qǐ xiōng táng, dà shēng shuō: "wǒ lái!"
  He straightened his chest and said loudly, 'I'll do it!'

Origin