Step I Extra Examples Series Walking Big Forward

• we are taking steps to prevent pollution.
• it's a big step giving up your job and moving halfway across the world.
• a necessary/an important/a positive step
• this was a first step towards a united europe.

step

1. one of a series of things that you do in order to achieve something
• SEE ALSO baby step
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/baby-step
• We are taking steps to prevent pollution.
• It's a big step giving up your job and moving halfway across the world.
• a necessary/an important/a positive step
• This was a first step towards a united Europe.
• This won't solve the problem but it's a step in the right direction.
• The new drug represents a major step forward in the treatment of the disease.
• Closing the factory would be a retrograde step.

Extra Examples

• The talks mark a step towards peace.
• They have taken their first tentative steps towards democracy.
• We've moved a step closer to independence.
• The offer constitutes a considerable step forward.
• This can only be seen as a step backward.
• Greece moved a step closer to the final with last night's win.
• I shall take immediate steps to have this matter put right.
• We shall take all necessary steps to prevent public disorder.
• The new speed limit does not solve the problem, but it is a step in the right direction.
• The new law is seen by many as a backward step.
• The move was a first step in establishing a union.
• This is a crucial first step on the ladder of literary success.
• They took the unusual step of taking out newspaper advertisements.
• This is a very positive step forward for everyone concerned.
• The move represented a significant step forward for the young Canadian film industry.
• We must take steps to ensure this won't happen again.
2. one of a series of things that somebody does or that happen, which forms part of a process
• SYNONYM stage
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/stage_2
• Having completed the first stage, you can move on to step 2.
• If you follow all the steps, nothing will go wrong.
• I'd like to take this idea a step further.
• This was a big step up (= to a better position) in his career.
• I'll explain it to you step by step.
• a step-by-step guide to building your own home

Extra Examples

• a step-by-step guide to setting up an aquarium
• If he goes one step further with this crazy idea, I'll resign.
• The promotion was a big step up in his career.
• It's only a short step from disorder to complete chaos.
• It suddenly struck her that having a baby was an irrevocable step.
• What's the next step?
• This is an extremely important step in the certification process.
• The next logical step was for the program leaders to work closely with existing staff.
• This is the first concrete step on the road to integration.
• She went carefully through each step of the application process.
• I'll be with you every step of the way.
• Building a business involves a series of important steps.
• Good communication is vital at every step of the process.
3. the act of lifting your foot and putting it down in order to walk or move somewhere; the sound this makes
• SEE ALSO footstep
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/footstep
• a baby’s first steps
• He took a step towards the door.
• We heard steps outside.

Extra Examples

• I could hear his steps coming closer.
• I recognized her quick light step.
• He took a hesitant step towards her.
• He lagged a few steps behind.
• He grew fainter with every step.
• I gasped and took an involuntary step back.
• I quickened my step.
• I was growing more and more nervous with every step.
• Take two steps forward and one step back.
• One false step could mean disaster.
4. the distance that you cover when you take a step
• It's only a few steps further.
• He turned around and retraced his steps (= went back the way he had come).
• She moved a step closer to me.
• The hotel is only a short step (= a short distance) from the beach.

Extra Examples

• He'd only gone a few steps when he realized he'd left his keys behind.
• She was only a step away from the cliff edge.
• You might find your ticket if you retrace your steps back to the car.
• Keep on moving—it's only a few steps further.
5. a surface that you put your foot on in order to walk to a higher or lower level, especially one of a series
• SEE ALSO doorstep
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/doorstep_2
• She was sitting on the bottom step of the staircase.
• We walked down some stone steps to the beach.
• A short flight of steps led up to the door.

Extra Examples

• She paused on the top step.
• Mind the step!
• She went up a flight of steps to the side entrance.
• The front steps lead to an enormous terrace.
• There are three steps down to the garden.
• You have to go up four flights of steps to get up to the roof.
• There was a pint of milk on the step outside.
• Down a few steps from the entry is the main salon.
• Crowds of visitors climbed the steep narrow steps to the top of the tower.
6. a series of movements that you make with your feet and which form a dance
• SEE ALSO quickstep
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/quickstep
• Do you know the steps of this dance?

Extra Examples

• He executed some dance steps for the judges.
• He executed some jive steps on the pavement.
7. the way that somebody walks
• He walked with a quick light step.
• There was a smile on her face and a spring in her step.

Extra Examples

• I had a spring in my step when I walked into that office for the last time.
• There was a new spring in his step.
8. a type of exercise that you do by stepping on and off a raised piece of equipment
• step aerobics
• a step class
9. a stepladder
• a pair of steps
• We need the steps to get into the attic.
10. the interval between two notes that are next to each other in a scale
• COMPARE semitone
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/semitone
11. to change the way you are walking so that you do not walk in the same rhythm as the people you are walking or marching with
• The soldiers turned without once breaking step.
12. to change the way you are walking so that you start walking in the same rhythm as the person you are walking with
• He caught her up and fell into step beside her.
13. putting your feet on the ground in the right/wrong way, according to the rhythm of the music or the people you are moving with
• He was out of step with the music.
• She had trouble keeping in step with the others.
14. having ideas that are the same as or different from other people’s
• She was out of step with her colleagues.
15. to walk carefully
16. to behave in a careful and sensible way
• You’d better watch your step with him if you don’t want trouble.
17. used to say that every time you make progress, something bad happens that means that the situation is worse than before
18. when you are one step ahead of somebody/something, you manage to avoid them or to achieve something more quickly than they do
• She's always one step ahead of the competition.
19. when you do something one step at a time you do it slowly and gradually

Word Origin

• Old English stæpe, stepe (noun), stæppan, steppan (verb), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch steppen and German stapfen.