step

step1 [ step ] noun ***

▸ 1 movement of foot

▸ 2 one of series of actions

▸ 3 for walking up/down

▸ 4 stage/level on scale

▸ 5 between musical notes

▸ + PHRASES

1. ) count a short movement made by putting one foot in front of the other:

take/move a step: I am too tired to take another step.

He moved a step nearer the two men.

retrace your steps (=go back the same way you came): We were lost and decided to retrace our steps.

a ) count a particular movement or set of movements performed with your feet while dancing:

dance step: Juan was practicing his new dance steps for the competition.

b ) count the sound your feet make while you are walking: FOOTSTEP:

I could hear his steps coming closer.

c ) count the short distance your feet move while you are walking:

The mini-market is just a few steps from my front door.

d ) singular the particular way someone walks, that sometimes shows how they are feeling:

a spring in your step (=a quick and cheerful attitude in the way you walk): He felt fantastic and there was a new spring in his step.

e ) count or uncount a type of exercise you do by quickly moving onto and off a low piece of equipment:

She teaches a step class.

2. ) count one of a series of actions you do in order to achieve a particular goal:

step in: This new law is the first step in making our city safer.

step toward: This agreement is an important step toward our goal.

a step along the way/road: For Jack, this job was a mere step along the road to power.

a step in the right direction: It's not the best deal for staff, but it's a step in the right direction.

a ) a step forward/backward something that makes a situation better/worse:

The new microchip is a major step forward in computer technology.

b ) take a step to perform a particular action:

The president took the unprecedented step of publishing details of the conversation in the press.

take steps to do something (=perform an action in order to achieve something): The school will take steps to make sure that these children are found and punished.

3. ) count a flat piece of wood or stone, usually one in a series, that you walk up or down in order to move to a different level:

I met him on the front steps of his house.

The woman took them down some steps leading to the beach.

a flight of steps (=a long set of steps): I climbed a flight of steep narrow steps.

the foot of the steps: waiting at the foot of the basement steps

4. ) count one of the stages in a process, or one of the levels on a SCALE:

steps in your learning process

a step up: Her new job is a big step up for her.

a step up on the pay scale

be a step ahead of someone: She was congratulating herself on her ingenuity, but he was one step ahead of her.

repeat a step: When you finish the exercise, repeat steps five to ten.

a ) every step of the way continuously, during a whole process:

During college, my parents supported me every step of the way.

b ) step by step or one step at a time moving slowly from one stage or level to the next:

Don't worry, we'll take things one step at a time.

5. ) count AMERICAN an amount equal to two HALF STEPS by which a musical note is higher or lower than another note

in/into step

1. ) if people or things are in step, they agree or move at the same rate:

step by step with: Prices usually keep in step with inflation.

2. ) if people walk in step, each person moves their feet at exactly the same time as the others:

fall in/into step: The protesters fell in step as they marched past the jailhouse.

out of step

1. ) if people or things are out of step, they do not agree or move at the same rate

2. ) if people walk out of step, they do not keep their feet moving at the same time as the rest of a group

watch your step

1. ) to be careful when you are walking so that you do not slip or fall

2. ) INFORMAL used for saying that someone must be careful about what they are saying, or how they behave:

You're going to get into trouble again if you don't watch your step!

step

step 2 [ step ] verb intransitive ***

1. ) step back/down/into etc. to move by putting one foot down in front of the other:

Step back or you'll get hit by the ball.

I stepped on the platform and started to speak.

Another soldier was injured when he stepped on a landmine.

2. ) step into/away from/up to/over etc. to move or walk a short distance:

Sally stepped gingerly into the icy water.

We stepped aside to let them pass.

He stepped from his car and helped her out.

step inside/outside: Please step inside and wait for a moment.

step on it INFORMAL

used for telling someone to drive a vehicle faster

step out of line INFORMAL

to break the rules, or do something wrong

step out of/from something

if someone seems to have stepped out of a book, movie, etc., they seem to be very much like a character from it:

characters that might have stepped straight out of the pages of Mark Twain

step outside INFORMAL

used for suggesting that people should go somewhere to have a fight using their FISTS:

He challenged the guy to step outside for a minute.

,step a`side or ,step `down phrasal verb intransitive

to leave an official position or job, especially so that someone else can take your place:

The manager announced he is stepping aside.

,step `back phrasal verb intransitive

to stop for a moment in order to consider something:

Let's step back and have another look at this.

,step `down phrasal verb intransitive

same as STEP ASIDE:

The chairman was forced to step down due to poor health.

step down as: Sandra stepped down as treasurer.

,step `forward phrasal verb intransitive

to offer help to someone who needs it:

Ron stepped forward and offered to change the tire.

,step `in phrasal verb intransitive

to become involved in a discussion or argument, especially in order to make it stop:

It is time for the government to step in.

`step on phrasal verb transitive

step on someone to treat someone badly, especially because they have less power or importance than you

,step `out phrasal verb intransitive

1. ) to leave a place for a short time:

I'm sorry, Karen just stepped out for a second.

2. ) step out with OLD-FASHIONED to go out on a DATE with someone

,step `up phrasal verb

1. ) transitive to increase something:

The president has stepped up the pressure on the groups to come to an agreement.

2. ) intransitive to move forward to a place where an official event is happening:

She stepped up to receive her prize.