step

noun

/step/

Idioms

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in series/process

[countable] one of a series of things that you do in order to achieve something

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
step toward(s) something 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.

Synonyms actionaction

measure
step
act
move

These are all words for a thing that somebody does.

action
a thing that somebody does:
- Can you explain your actions?
measure
an official action that is done in order to achieve a particular aim:
- Tougher measures against racism are needed.
step
one of a series of things that you do in order to achieve something:
- This was a first step towards a united Europe.
act
a thing that somebody does:
- an act of kindness

action or act?These two words have the same meaning but are used in different patterns. An act is usually followed by of and/or used with an adjective. Action is not usually used with of but is often used with his, her, etc: a heroic act of bravery • a heroic action of bravery • his heroic actions/acts during the war. Action often combines with take but act does not: We shall take whatever acts are necessary.

move
(used especially in the media) an action that you do or need to do to achieve something:
- They are waiting for the results of the opinion polls before deciding their next move.

Patterns

to take action/measures/steps
to make a step/move
a heroic/brave/daring action/step/act/move

movement/sound

[countable] the act of lifting your foot and putting it down in order to walk or move somewhere; the sound this makes

a baby’s first steps
He took a step towards the door.
We heard steps outside.

distance

[countable] 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.
(figurative) 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.

Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective

large
small
heavy
…

verb + step

go
take
retrace
…

preposition

step (away) from
step towards/toward

phrases

a spring in your step
a step ahead
a step behind
…

See full entry

stair

enlarge image

[countable] a surface that you put your foot on in order to walk to a higher or lower level, especially one of a series

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.

in dance

[countable, usually plural] a series of movements that you make with your feet and which form a dance

Do you know the steps of this dance?

Wordfinder

ballet
ballroom
band
choreograph
dance
floor
folk dance
music
partner
step

way of walking

[countable, usually singular] 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.

Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective

large
small
heavy
…

verb + step

go
take
retrace
…

preposition

step (away) from
step towards/toward

phrases

a spring in your step
a step ahead
a step behind
…

See full entry

exercise

[uncountable] (often in compounds) a type of exercise that you do by stepping on and off a raised piece of equipment

step aerobics
a step class

Topics Health and Fitnessc1

ladder

steps

[plural] (British English) a stepladder

a pair of steps
We need the steps to get into the attic.

in music

[countable] (North American English) the interval between two notes that are next to each other in a scale compare semitone, tone see also half step, whole step

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

Idioms

break step

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.

fall into step (beside/with somebody)

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.

in/out of step (with somebody/something)

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.
having ideas that are the same as or different from other people’s
- She was out of step with her colleagues.

mind/watch your step

to walk carefully
to behave in a careful and sensible way
- You’d better watch your step with him if you don’t want trouble.

one step forward, two steps back

(saying) used to say that every time you make progress, something bad happens that means that the situation is worse than before

a/one step ahead (of somebody/something)

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.
Topics Successc2

a/one step at a time

when you do something one step at a time you do it slowly and gradually

step

verb

/step/

[intransitive]

Verb Forms

present simple I / you / we / they step	/step/ /step/
he / she / it steps	/steps/ /steps/
past simple stepped	/stept/ /stept/
past participle stepped	/stept/ /stept/
-ing form stepping	/ˈstepɪŋ/ /ˈstepɪŋ/

Idioms Phrasal Verbs

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+ adv./prep. to lift your foot and move it in a particular direction or put it on or in something; to move a short distance
- to step onto/off a bus
- I stepped forward when my name was called out.
- She stepped aside to let them pass.
- We stepped carefully over the broken glass.
- I turned around quickly and stepped on his toes.
- She opened the door and stepped out into the sunshine.
- (figurative) Going into the hotel is like stepping back in time.
Extra Examples
- Don't step in the puddle.
- He stepped back hastily from the edge.
- He stepped gingerly over the cat.
- Would you like to step inside for a few minutes?
- Could you step inside for a moment?
- He stepped back into the shadows.
- He stepped smartly aside to avoid her.
- I accidentally stepped on her toe.
- Myra stepped gingerly through the rows of plants.
- The boy had stepped out into the road without looking.
- We had to step carefully to avoid the broken glass.
- Please step this way, Mr Jones.
- She stepped outside to discover it was snowing.
- I stepped away from the car, raising my hands.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
adverb
- briskly
- quickly
- hastily
- …
preposition
- across
- from
- in
- …
See full entry
Word OriginOld English stæpe, stepe (noun), stæppan, steppan (verb), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch steppen and German stapfen.

Idioms

step into the breach

to do somebody’s job or work when they are suddenly or unexpectedly unable to do it
- She stepped into the breach caused by Stella's illness.

step into somebody’s shoes

to continue a job or the work that somebody else has started
- She stepped into her father’s shoes when he retired.

step on it

(informal) used especially in orders to tell somebody to drive faster

step on somebody’s toes (North American English)

(also tread on somebody’s toes especially in British English)

(informal) to offend or annoy somebody, especially by getting involved in something that is their responsibility
- I don’t want to step on anybody’s toes so I’ll keep quiet.

step out of line | be/get out of line

to behave badly or break the rules
- His boss warned him that if he stepped out of line once more he would be fired.

step up to the plate

(especially North American English) to do what is necessary in order to benefit from an opportunity or deal with a crisis
- It's important for world leaders to step up to the plate and honor their commitments on global warming.
- It’s time for businesses to step up to the plate and accept responsibility.