step1 nounstep2 verb
stepstep1 /step/ ●●● S2 W1 noun 
WORD ORIGINstep1
Origin:
Old English stæpeEXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- a beginners' step class
- Baker said his next step will be to demand a new trial.
- Completing your degree would move you up a step on the salary scale.
- Ellen ran up the steps and banged on the door.
- Her first big step towards a career in movies was her move to Hollywood.
- I can't remember all the steps.
- I was so breathless, I could only manage a few steps.
- Identifying the cause of a disease must always be the first step towards finding a cure.
- Marge could hear a man's steps in the hall.
- Nelson was no more than four or five steps away.
- Now that we've identified the problem, what's the next step?
- Of course, starting the job-search is always a big step.
- Re-thinking our management techniques would be an important step in the right direction.
- Sal quickened his steps toward the hotel.
- She walked briskly, with quick, short steps.
- The discovery of penicillin was a gigantic step in the treatment of infections.
- The doctors say I'll make a full recovery, but I'm going to have to take it one step at a time.
- The first step towards achieving peace in the region will be to elect a government that represents all the people.
- The new law on drunk driving is being seen as a major step forward.
- The next step will be to make the pasta sauce.
- Continue for as long as possible and record the number of steps.
- Have visual and verbal behaviours out of step with each other.
- He took a quick step backward.
- I would watch my step if I were you.
- Louie wailed, bolting off the steps into his house.
- The thieves slipped the Torah scroll from the case and left the metal decoration on steps near the synagogue.
- Tom and Marge caught the gondola from the church steps to San Marco, and walked from there to the Gritti.
- When he came up the steps on to the terrace, most of his child followers had fallen away.
THESAURUS
noun [countable] something that someone does: · He is responsible for his own actions.· They refused to give a reason for their actions.
noun [countable] a particular type of action: · violent actsact of violence/kindness/defiance etc: · I believe the killing was an act of desperation.
noun [plural] things that people do, especially for enjoyment or to achieve an aim: · leisure activities· political activities· Surveys may not give a true picture of people’s activities.
British English, behavior American English noun [uncountable] the things that someone does and the way they behave: · Do you think that advertisements really influence people’s behaviour?· The man’s behaviour seemed rather odd.
noun [countable] something that you do in order to achieve something: · Her decision to sell the shares had been a smart move.· It’s a bold move to start a business in the current economic climate.· He needed time to figure out his next move.
noun [countable] one of a series of things that you do in order to deal with a problem or to succeed: · The first step is to make sure we have got funding for the project.· We must take steps to make sure that this does not happen again.· This is an important step towards peace.
noun [countable] an official action that is intended to deal with a particular problem: · There are increased security measures at airports.· The school was closed as a precautionary measure following a chemical leak.
noun [countable] something that you do to show how you feel about someone or something: · Do you think it would be a nice gesture to send her some flowers?gesture of goodwill/solidarity/defiance: · The company gave us £100 as a gesture of goodwill.
noun [countable] especially literary an action, especially one that is very good or very bad: · evil deeds· heroic deeds· This is my good deed for the day.
noun [plural] formal exciting or brave actions: · daring exploits· His exploits were legendary.
noun [countable] something someone does that people admire because you need a lot of skill, courage, or strength to do it: · Completing a marathon is a remarkable feat for a six-year-old.· The bridge is a great feat of engineering.·
one of several parts of a long process, which happen one after another: · At this stage of the election campaign, it is impossible to predict who will win.· She is still in the early stages of pregnancy.· Piaget famously divided childhood into four separate stages.· the opening stages of the race
one of the parts of a process that you have to do or deal with in order to go on to the next one: · The first step is to make a list of what you need.· What’s the next step?· You have to do this one step at a time.
one of the clearly separate stages of a process or activity, during which a type of activity takes place that is different from those in other phases: · the initial phase of the campaign· They were now entering the final phase of their journey.
one of the parts that an event or activity is divided into, especially talks or a sports competition: · the first round of the negotiations· the final round of the competition· The next round of the trade talks will be held in Geneva.
a specific time or moment during the course of something: · What do you really want at this point in your life?· By this point they were starting to feel more confident.
Longman Language Activatorwhen someone is different from other people to think or behave in a way that is unusual: · It's a small community and anyone who shows any signs of being different just isn't made to feel welcome.· For teenagers, it's important to speak and dress like their friends. They really don't want to be different.
someone who does not belong or does not fit in is so different that people do not like them, do not help them to become one of the group etc: · From the moment she first joined the company, Sally just didn't belong.· Until we learnt the language, we felt that we didn't fit in. But after that the people seemed to accept us.
if two people are on a different wavelength , they have very different ideas and attitudes from each other, with the result that they do not understand each other: · My dad doesn't understand me. He's on a completely different wavelength.· We'd been married for twenty years, but we just weren't on the same wavelength anymore.
to be very different from the people around you especially in the way you dress or look, so that people notice you and look at you: · You can't come to the restaurant dressed in jeans. You'd stick out like a sore thumb.
to be different from the other people in a group because you behave in a different way and have different ideas: · In my school, anyone who was out of sync was ignored or ridiculed.be out of step/sync with: · The Prime Minister has been criticized for being out of step with the British people.
something that someone does in order to deal with a situation what someone does when they use their power to deal with a problem or to achieve something: · Strong action is needed to restore law and order.· It's been politics as usual - all talk and no action.action on: · The agency has promised action on the pollution problem for years, but nothing has happened.
one of a series of things that someone does in order to deal with a problem or to achieve success: · Her first big step towards a career in movies was her move to Hollywood.· Now that we've identified the problem, what's the next step?· These steps are necessary if the company is to succeed in the European market.
an action taken by a government or someone in authority to deal with a problem or improve a situation, for example by making a new law or rule: · Government officials refused to say what measures were being planned to deal with the refugee crisis.measure to do something: · Lawmakers are searching for the best measures to strengthen Social Security.drastic measures: · Drastic situations require drastic measures.
something that you decide to do in order to achieve a particular result, especially as one of a series of planned actions: somebody's move: · The management have offered less money than we wanted so what's our next move?· His first move after taking office was to appoint four communists to his cabinet.move to do something: · The UN's latest move to stop the fighting has ended in failure.
one of the parts of a process · Organizing the party was easy, the hardest part was getting my parents to agree to it.part of · Which part of your job do you enjoy most?· She spent the early part of her life in Barcelona.· Part of the research program involved interviewing teenagers in inner-city areas.
British spoken a part of an activity, plan, or job: · Alan did the easy bit -- it was me who did all the hard work!bit of: · I'll probably do a bit of gardening this weekend.
one of several parts of a long process, which happen one after another: · Dan has never gone through a rebellious stage.stage of: · Many women feel depressed during the early stages of pregnancy.stage in: · We saw a video showing the second stage in the development of a human embryo.at this stage (=now): · At this stage of the election campaign, it is impossible to say who will win.reach/be at/get to the stage (=to be at a particular part of a process): · We reached the stage where we'd given up any hopes of seeing our daughter alive.· 'How's your dissertation coming on?' 'I'm at the writing-up stage.'
one of the parts of a process that you have to do or deal with in order to go on to the next one: · The next step will be to make the pasta sauce.· The first step towards achieving peace in the region will be to elect a government that represents all the people.one step at a time (=used to say that you should deal with one part of a process thoroughly before worrying about the next one): · The doctors say I'll make a full recovery, but I'm going to have to take it one step at a time.
a separate part in the development or growth of something: · I'd like to discuss the production phase at this morning's meeting.phase in: · There are three phases in the lifecycle of a butterfly.initial/primary/first phase (=the first part): · The initial phase of the project should take about three months.final/last phase (=the last part): · As the war enters its final phase, the UN will probably consider lifting sanctions.
success when you are trying to achieve something · The new national tests are intended to keep a closer check on children's progress.progress in · Any progress in cancer research may help to save lives.progress on · Bad weather has prevented progress on retrieving the plane from the sea.economic/political/social etc progress · Spencer insisted that free enterprise was the key to social progress.
a new discovery or invention that brings progress: · The discovery marks a significant technological advance.advance in: · Dr Martineau had written an article about advances in medicine over the last five years.
an important discovery or achievement that makes it possible to progress, especially one that happens suddenly after a long period of trying: a big/dramatic/major etc breakthrough: · Egypt and Jordan welcomed news of the deal as a major breakthrough.breakthrough in: · There has been an important breakthrough in the search for safe nuclear energy.breakthrough on: · Scientists at Merck were nearing a breakthrough on a new drug to treat HIV.make/achieve a breakthrough: · Negotiators have made a breakthrough on the most difficult issue of employment security.
a very important event in the progress of development of something, especially the first time that something important is done: milestone in: · For most people, the birth of their first child is a milestone in their lives.an important/major/significant etc milestone: · His decision to accept the university's offer was an important milestone in his career.a milestone in the development/history/life etc of something: · The album 'Kind Of Blue' proved to be a milestone in the development of modern jazz.· This year has seen another milestone in the life of the Society, in that our assets passed the £3 billion mark.a milestone on/along the road to something: · We believe that what we have agreed today will be a milestone on the road to true peace and prosperity in our country.mark a milestone in something: · The expedition marked a milestone in the history of exploration.
an action or discovery that brings progress and that combines with other actions or discoveries to take you closer to the result you want to achieve: a big/important/major etc step : · Of course, starting the job-search is always a big step.step in: · The discovery of penicillin was a gigantic step in the treatment of infections.step forward: · The new law on drunk driving is being seen as a major step forward.step towardsBritish /toward American: · Identifying the cause of a disease must always be the first step towards finding a cure.step in the right direction: · Re-thinking our management techniques would be an important step in the right direction.
an event or action that is not always very important itself but helps you to progress towards achieving something: · For the unemployed, temporary jobs can be a useful stepping stone.stepping stone to/towards: · A teaching post is often only a stepping stone to a better paid profession.· The agreement was an important diplomatic stepping stone towards independence.
a situation in which there is no progress a situation in which no further progress can be made because two groups or organizations disagree with each other about what to do, and cannot think of any way to end the disagreement: reach a stalemate/be at a stalemate: · At that point the strike appeared to have reached a stalemate.· Negotiations with the 200 army rebels are at a stalemate.end in stalemate: · It looks like the long-running dispute could end in stalemate.stalemate between: · The proposal was aimed at ending the stalemate between environmentalist and business groups.stalemate in: · the stalemate in the three-month long pay disputebreak a stalemate (=make it possible for discussions to continue): · an attempt to break a stalemate in the Middle East peace process
a situation in which no further progress can be made because two groups disagree strongly with each other and refuse to change their minds: · In the same year the issue came before Parliament, but there was complete deadlock.deadlock between: · There are hopes that an agreement can be made to break the deadlock between the White House and Congress.deadlock over: · The deadlock over the US budget had turned away some investors.end in deadlock: · Their first trial ended in deadlock when the jury could not reach an agreement.break a deadlock (=to make it possible to agree so that you can progress): · Syria and Israel broke a six-month deadlock in their talks when they sent peace envoys to Maryland.
a situation in which it is impossible to make any further progress in your work or in what you are trying to do: · My mother thought that I should be a model, but I knew that was a dead end.be/feel you are at a dead end: · At 52, Martin felt he was at a dead end professionally.come to/hit/reach etc a dead end (=stop making any progress): · The development of this drug has come to a dead end because of doubts about its safety.
formal a situation in which progress has stopped completely, especially because people cannot agree on what to do next: impasse in: · The continuing impasse in negotiations made military conflict seem likely.impasse between: · an impasse between the US and its European trading partnersimpasse over: · There seemed no way to end the impasse over the Lockerbie affair.reach an impasse/be at an impasse: · It was clear that the Soviet economy was at an impasse.· On July 25, the situation seemed to have reached an impasse.
an action or change that makes a situation worse, so that the progress that has been made is lost: a step backwards for: · Accepting the job would be a step backwards for me.· Several opposition leaders described the programme as a major step backwards for democracy.take a step backwards: · Any sort of stress such as upset in the family may cause a child to take a step backwards in behaviour.
a single movement when you are walking the single movement that you make when you put one foot in front of the other when you are walking: · I was so breathless, I could only manage a few steps.take a step: · Zoe took a step forward to let the man pass. with short/heavy/light etc steps: · She walked briskly, with quick, short steps.
the sound of someone's foot being placed on the ground when they are walking or running: · Suddenly Rachel heard footsteps behind her in the dark street.· I could always recognise my mother's footsteps as she scurried up the stairs.
the distance you go when you take a single step: · He took a couple of paces forward, then stopped.· Eddie walked a few paces behind his mother, his head hung low.· I'd gone about ten paces, when I heard a strange sound behind me.
a long step you take when you are walking quickly: · In four angry strides, Stuart was through the front gate.· Doctor Jameson hurried past us, taking long strides.
to walk with regular steps with other people if soldiers march , they all walk together with regular steps: into/through/past etc: · Thousands of US soldiers marched through the streets of Paris.
if a group of people walk in step ,they walk at the same speed and move their feet forward at exactly the same time: · The regiment had finally learned to march in step.in step with: · Steve wasn't walking in step with the rest of the class.
WORD SETSadjoin, verbalcove, nounantechamber, nounanteroom, nounapartment block, nounapse, nounarcade, nounart gallery, nounatrium, nounattic, nounauditorium, nounawning, nounback door, nounback-to-back, nounbailey, nounbalcony, nounbalustrade, nounbanister, nounbarn, nounbasilica, nounbastion, nounbay window, nounblock, nounbrownstone, nounbungalow, nounbunkhouse, nounbyre, nouncabin, nouncampanile, nouncanteen, nouncarport, nouncasement, nouncastle, nounceiling, nouncellar, nouncentre, nounchalet, nounchamber, nounchancel, nounchanging room, nounchateau, nounchimney, nounchimney breast, nounchimney pot, nounchimney stack, nouncladding, nounclerk of works, nouncloakroom, nouncloister, nounclubhouse, nouncoatroom, nouncocktail lounge, nouncolonnade, nouncolumn, nouncommon room, nouncomplex, nouncompound, nounconcourse, nouncondominium, nounconservatory, nounconvent, nouncoping, nouncornerstone, nouncorn exchange, nouncorridor, nouncottage, nouncountry house, nouncountry seat, nouncourthouse, nouncowshed, noundado, noundance hall, noundetached, adjectivedoor, noundoorpost, noundormer, nounedifice, nounentry, nounentryway, nounestate, nounestate agent, nounextension, nouneyrie, nounfacade, nounfallout shelter, nounfamily room, nounfarmhouse, nounfire door, nounfire escape, nounfire station, nounfitment, nounfixture, nounflatlet, nounflight, nounfloor, nounfolly, nounforecourt, nounfort, nounfortress, nounfoyer, nounfrontage, nounfront room, nounfuneral home, noungable, noungabled, adjectivegargoyle, noungrandstand, noungrange, noungranny flat, noungrille, nounground floor, nounguardhouse, nounguesthouse, nounguildhall, noungutter, nounguttering, noungym, noungymnasium, nounhabitation, nounhall, nounhallway, nounhatch, nounhatchway, nounhayloft, nounhealth centre, nounhigh-rise, adjectivehospice, nounhospital, nounlaboratory, nounlanding, nounleaded lights, nounlean-to, nounledge, nounlightning conductor, nounlintel, nounlobby, nounlodge, nounloft, nounlog cabin, nounlounge, nounlouvre, nounmaisonette, nounmezzanine, nounmilking parlour, nounmoving staircase, nounmullion, nounnave, nounniche, nounoast house, nounobelisk, nounoffice building, nounoratory, nounoutbuilding, nounouthouse, nounoverhang, nounparapet, nounparty wall, nounpediment, nounpenthouse, nounperistyle, nounpicture window, nounpilaster, nounpillar, nounpinnacle, nounplatform, nounplumber, nounplumbing, nounpodium, nounpoint, verbPortakabin, nounpotting shed, nounpresbytery, nounpress gallery, nounprivy, nounpublic convenience, nounpyramid, nounrafter, nounrail, nounrampart, nounribbon development, nounrotunda, nounsanctuary, nounschoolhouse, nounscience park, nounsepulchre, nounservice charge, nounshack, nounshed, nounshop front, nounskylight, nounskyscraper, nounsliding door, nounsmokestack, nounsmoking room, nounspiral staircase, nounspire, nounsports centre, nounstack, nounstadium, nounstair, nounstaircase, nounstairway, nounstairwell, nounstall, nounstately home, nounstateroom, nounstation, nounsteeple, nounstep, nounstonework, nounstoop, nounstoreroom, nounstorm cellar, nounstory, nounstudio, nountenement, nountepee, nounterrace, nountheatre, nountoilet, nountool shed, nountower block, nountown hall, nountownhouse, nountransept, nountransom, nountrapdoor, nountreasury, nounturret, nounvault, nounvaulted, adjectivevaulting, nounventilator, nounvestibule, nounvilla, nounwalkway, nounwall, nounwatchtower, nounwater tower, nounweatherboard, nounwedding chapel, nounwing, nounwoodshed, nounworkhouse, nounworkroom, nounworkshop, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY Meaning 2verbs
He stepped aside to let Katherine go in first. We will take decisive steps towards political union with Europe. Critics want the government to take this a stage further and ban the film altogether. Follow our step-by-step guide. Anybody who steps out of line will be in deep trouble. The government is expected to take punitive steps against offenders. The closure of the factories is seen as a retrograde step. a step-by-step guide to making it in the music business Take each lesson step by step. The government is taking tentative steps towards tackling the country’s economic problems. She took a few uncertain steps forward. He took the unprecedented step of stating that the rumours were false.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE
· The authority will take steps to reunite the child and his family.
adjectives· The move is seen as a major step forward for UK firms.
· The first step in resolving conflict is to understand what the other person wants.
· He met in Washington with his campaign advisers to plan his next step.
· This is a small step in the right direction.
(=an action that will have a good effect)· This is a positive step which gives cause for some optimism.
(=something that is not usually done/has never been done before)· Police last night took the unusual step of releasing photographs of him.
· The government is wary of taking any drastic steps that would scare off foreign investment.
· We welcome the bold step taken by President Bush.
(=a small action, which is not done in a very determined way)· The Institute has taken a tentative step towards opening up its meetings to the public.
· She felt she had an aptitude for medicine. Her next logical step would be to begin studying when the summer was over.
· We believe immediate steps could be taken to generate jobs.
· They must take reasonable steps to ensure that this information is available to those who might benefit.
· We must be sure that we are taking the necessary steps to prevent the problem from getting a foothold here.
phrases (=an action that makes things better)· The declaration which we have just signed is a big step forward for both of our nations.
(=an action that makes things worse)· A rationing system would be a major step backwards.
(=an action that helps to improve things)· Environmentalists said the law was a step in the right direction.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES· You should take active steps towards reducing stress.
He stepped aside to let Katherine go in first.· The following year he made a bold step to expand his business.
· Jenna sat on the bottom step.
(=the son of your stepfather or stepmother)· His dad’s new wife brought him two step-brothers.
· The country has to take concrete steps to end the violence.
· Choosing a career is a crucial decision to make.
(=a movement in a dance)· Lou was teaching me a few dance steps.
We will take decisive steps towards political union with Europe. Critics want the government to take this a stage further and ban the film altogether. Follow our step-by-step guide. (=giving details of each thing you should do in order)· This book gives step-by-step instructions for making curtains.
(=the part you put your foot on)· The can of paint was balanced on one of the steps of the ladder.
Anybody who steps out of line will be in deep trouble. The government is expected to take punitive steps against offenders. The closure of the factories is seen as a retrograde step. a step-by-step guide to making it in the music business Take each lesson step by step. The government is taking tentative steps towards tackling the country’s economic problems. She took a few uncertain steps forward. He took the unprecedented step of stating that the rumours were false.· It wasn't a big step from there to Mack the Knife.· Find her, they say, and you take a big step toward finding the elusive Bishop.· A big step up came when the Lord Chancellor took over criminal legal aid from the Home Secretary in 1980.· But it was also a big step on the stairway to the stars.· If that is the case you need to take bigger bites or steps.· It was the first and biggest step in changing the council from a legislative body to a rubber stamp for his administration.· That would be a big step forward.· I admit, marriage is a big step.
· The old lady's footsteps could be heard, ponderous and threatening, on the front steps.· When the engine turned over, he came quickly down the front steps and climbed in beside them.· Women were talking to each other from the front steps of their homes.· As I walked down the front steps for the last time, a feeling of elation swept over me.· Alice opened the door and set the suitcase on the front steps.· So I Nureyeved the front steps and flowed through the door in a single motion of Yale and Chubb.· If she comes to sit on the front steps, she carries her knitting or mending.
· It was a further step in their development on the road to possible overall victory at this stadium on Sunday.· We entrust the Ministerial Council with the further steps which may be required to implement them.· If further steps are to be performed a time delay is needed before the next excitation change.· The Treaty of Rome and the subsequent decisions of the member Governments provide for a series of further steps.· The best business development groups take further steps to capture and reuse lessons learned from experience.· They would then have lawmakers decide on further steps to close the coming gap between revenues and expenditures.
· Marriage is a very important step to take.· Developing Criteria An important step in the development of a quality assurance system is to prepare criteria.· The first important step was to separate the purchasing and providing functions and devolve services such as personnel and finance to units.· The recognition of these players within an organization is an important first step in facilitating innovation.· This is a very important first step.· Legislation could still be a long way off but the proposals are an important first step.
· The global health scene has been characterised by major steps forward but with some disturbing retrograde features.· And they knew that learning was a way out of the trap, a major step toward self-expression.· Our next major step was to sort out a name.· Franco never took major steps when in doubt.· The process involves three major steps: 1.· It represents one of man's great architectural feats and was technically a major step forward.· But I hope that this election will be a major step toward that ultimate goal.
· Reprocessing is a necessary first step towards recycling nuclear fuel.· Mistakesmissteps-are necessary for actualizing your vision, and necessary steps toward success.· Finally, it is hoped to identify the necessary steps essential for the improvement of growth potential for ethnic minority businesses.· You have to believe you can change before you can take the necessary steps to do so.· Police have to take the necessary steps.· It will not prejudice his claim in any way if he takes all necessary steps to minimise and contain his loss.· It was a necessary survival step for a young person growing up in that area.
· She says that it's a positive step.· This of course was all a positive step.· Only a missionary would see this as a positive step in and of itself.· It was a positive step but it was very weak in the way it sought to cover the children.· Firstly, undertaking the research represented one of the only positive steps available to respond to such an increased demand.· And it will allow them to take positive steps to help prevent getting the disease or limit the impact of its complications.· The negative aspects of the United Front were still dominant at the end of 1934 but several positive steps had been taken.· Everywhere, however, positive steps have been taken to deal with it.
· In one sense this was a reasonable step to take.
· It is but a short step from this to natural selection and evolution in the laboratory.· He watches four men trying to drag a doorless refrigerator up the short flight of steps into the band shell.· It is a short deductive step to equate the pillar with the goddess Potnia or the Mistress of Animals.· Gait pigeon-like, rather tripping, with short waddling steps.· That the department is wrong can be made clear in three short steps.· Frankie stared towards the shorter flight of steps leading to the landing.· The Pre-emptive Thesis From the dependence and normal justification theses it is but a short step to the pre-emption thesis.
· From shrinking the aircraft, it was but a small step to shrinking the airline.· One more small step away from control by elected officials and toward a government run by the bureaucracy.· His only strategy is to take small steps and to carry the local vector parallel to itself over each step.· It happened one small step at a time.· The sequence of action can & negotiated by helping her see the importance of achieving small steps in the weaning process.· But it was a small step.· An increment is a small step from the existing position.· Whether you choose to take a small step or a large one, each action is important.
· Shortly after the First World War tentative steps towards the implementation of a monopoly policy were being considered.· Around the country, the first tentative steps have been taken toward this new alliance.· Both moves were seen as tentative steps towards opening up the political system.· Then he opened his eyes, spoke a few words and eventually tried a few tentative steps round his hospital room.· There was no need for tentative steps of discovery but nevertheless it was as if this were the very first time.· Hauling it by its ugly leather straps she took a tentative step on the little stony path.· The year ended with the government taking tentative steps to tackle the country's enormous economic problems.· She couldn't quite believe she was taking the first few tentative steps back towards her marriage.
· At five past two Franco took the unprecedented step of refusing to serve him any more wine.· The authorities were taken aback, and took the unprecedented step of cordoning off the painting.· In the summer, the two sides took the unprecedented step in the Warsaw Pact of recalling their two ambassadors.
NOUN· She took a shaky step back, mentally berating herself for continuing to react to him in this inexplicable fashion.· She took a step back and, gasping with pain, stumbled as her ankle gave way beneath her.· She swallowed and took a step back, but the breakfast-bar, immovable and robust, halted her retreat.· Henry took a step back and considered.· With another frown, she took a step back.· When she approached the youth he took a hesitant step back but froze to the spot on seeing Graham's threatening look.· Abruptly the window slid upwards and the car shot forward, forcing the man outside to take a hasty step back.· Julie screamed and took a step back.
· With a final gesture she put the key on the sill of the narrow window and pulled herself up the stone steps.· Scared but ignorant, I descended the six stone steps to the street.· He rose and led them both down the stone steps, coming to a halt at the entrance to the vestry door.· As he reached the foot of the bleak stone steps, a single gunman opened fire from the parapet around the stairway.· He knew the feel of every cold stone step on the wide staircase leading down to the main hall.· I started up the cold stone steps to the gallery.· He lurched sideways and fell to his hands and knees on the stone steps.
VERB· He hurried ahead, climbed the steps and pushed past twenty pairs of knees.· Mike climbed the steps without speaking, and unloaded his cameras and camera bag on a mat.· There was an urgency in the voice that made Defries and Daak turn and climb the three steps to the weapons platform.· Mark wearily climbed the steps of number 89, and let himself in.· No one from the parade is allowed to climb the steps.· She climbed the rickety steps set into the hillside and got up to the porch of the Katz house.· He climbed off the step stool and went to the faucet on the side of the rectory.
· If they should fall down the steps the fence will stop them going on to the road.· Once again, Blue falls into step with Black, perhaps even more harmoniously than before.· The senator fell into step beside me while some of Bonefish's smaller children followed at a safe distance.· Omite falls down the basement steps and breaks her hip.· Stewart falls clumsily down the steps.· One day I fell down the steps there.· She had been descending the stairs when she'd slipped and had fallen down numerous steps.· Staff who went to help her thought she had fallen down steps before first-aiders saw her multiple injuries.
· We follow through the six steps enumerated above. 1.· If you have a wide-carriage printer, follow these same steps but skip step 2. 1.· The first column starts at the left margin. Follow these steps to enter the table: 1.· Stumbling a little, she followed him up the steps and across the moonlit terrace into the palazzo.· In general, a proposal goes through the following steps regardless of the type of grant giving organization.· Replace the taps To fit the new mixer tap follow step 2 in reverse.· At that stage, math is simply following steps and watching out for details, her strong suit.
· The progressive dismantling of regional development policy since 1979 has moved more swiftly than steps aimed at deregulating the housing sector.· A long time ago, when they opposed him, he put out the hand and moved the few steps to them.· Alec moved down two steps and stood.· He moved a step away from her.· The action moves Disney one step closer to final government approval of the transaction.· This, of course, merely moves the debate a step further back, because it implies an understanding of what death is.· Zhang Kou coughed, and Gao Ma silently moved a step closer to Jinju.
· Frankie forgot the eggs and hurriedly retraced his steps.· Ellsworth, who had gone ahead, retraced his steps to shepherd the two through.· In this first article I will retrace my first steps to Rennes-le-Chateau and the beginning of the mystery.· Then we retraced our steps and found a restaurant.· At the bottom end he could go no further, and so retraced his steps.· It is best to retrace your steps for the return journey.· In the soft evening light, I retraced my steps back to town, soothed by the songs of blackbirds and chaffinches.
· Baptiste was standing on the bottom step of the wooden staircase, affecting surprise at the sight of her.· His 13 grandchildren stood along the steps.· When people came to the doors they stood on the step talking and looking over at our side of the street.· Léonie stood on the bottom step and clutched the metal handrail.· He pulled the heavy hall-door shut and stood on the steps.· Bright wedding-red flowers in full bloom stood cloistered on the steps.
· Having acquired a wife, Leslie began to think that he ought to take some steps towards securing our future.· Mix got out of his car, Easterbrook says, took a step and collapsed.· What stops us taking the first step and using it?· Each time I took a step, I sank to the earth and then struggled upright again.· To split up a great State, created by a thousand years of historical development, means taking a big step backwards.· So Ford took concrete steps to get the idea across to one and all.· With another frown, she took a step back.· Now his breakthrough is taking the critical step to commercial application.
· Andrew was always with her, walking a few steps out of her reach.· He walked a few steps, looked over his shoulder, and. everyone was picking up a sign.· As I walked down the front steps for the last time, a feeling of elation swept over me.· He walked with long steps, too long, and he had his thumbs hooked in his pockets again.· He would walk up those steps with a confidence he didn't feel, she knew that.· So we all walked the few steps to Wuthering Heights.· Chantel walks down the steps like a girl and saunters over next to him.
· Plus, Best foot forward, but watch your step ... aerobics can be a pain.· Some one bumped into him and sharply told him to watch his step.· Inside I was guided down a weird stairway and told at one point to watch my step carefully.· That pain in the back of my neck is four pairs of eyes watching every step I take to the church.· Opposing players really had to watch their step....· He would have to watch his step on his return.· I would watch my step if I were you.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► stepsPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► the naughty step► springy step/walk► stepping stones
1- And as much as he was out of step with me, he seemed inept with what used to be our world.
- At the outset of his presidency, Mitterand was a leader seemingly out of step with the rightward drift of the West.
- For by the spring of 1992, Holy Trinity was dramatically out of step with the Vatican.
- He seemed dazed, out of step, like a first-time traveler to a treacherous land.
- I always was out of step with my generation.
- It is out of step with changes in industry.
- Or rather, we were out of step by being a little ahead, and a little behind.
- To watch the ceaseless spinning for too long made you feel sick and dizzy and a bit out of step with everything else.
- You'd better watch your step if you want to keep your job.
- He would have to watch his step on his return.
- I had to watch my step.
- I would watch my step if I were you.
- Inside I was guided down a weird stairway and told at one point to watch my step carefully.
- Opposing players really had to watch their step...
- Plus, Best foot forward, but watch your step ... aerobics can be a pain.
- Some one bumped into him and sharply told him to watch his step.
- The sign outside may say Céad Míle Faíte, but inside you watch your step.
- Instead he fell into step, and they went on from there.
- Once again, Blue falls into step with Black, perhaps even more harmoniously than before.
- She walked to the door, trying her hardest to ignore the man who fell into step beside her.
- The Clinton administration, after some hesitation, fell into step behind Paris.
- The great horse Koulash galloped forward to join the Tsar's horses, and fell into step with them.
- The senator fell into step beside me while some of Bonefish's smaller children followed at a safe distance.
- They fell into step on the slush-covered path.
- It was a constant struggle to stay one step ahead of thrift regulators in Washington.
- Money With better management of resources you will be able to stay one step ahead.
- The reason Chappy is moving around so much is to keep one step ahead I suppose.
- We don't want to sell him but we have to keep one step ahead.
- Steve wasn't walking in step with the rest of the class.
- The regiment had finally learned to march in step.
- At the eleventh hour, Halifax has stepped into the breach.
- Mixed, she said, because it had given the theatre the opportunity to invite P.L. O'Hara to step into the breach.
- Pawelski would like to step into the breach.
- So Mrs Thatcher, demonstrating hitherto unsuspected social graces, decided to step into the breach herself.
- Who will step into the breach?
- You are very brave to step into the breach.
- Instead he fell into step, and they went on from there.
- Once again, Blue falls into step with Black, perhaps even more harmoniously than before.
- She walked to the door, trying her hardest to ignore the man who fell into step beside her.
- The Clinton administration, after some hesitation, fell into step behind Paris.
- The great horse Koulash galloped forward to join the Tsar's horses, and fell into step with them.
- The senator fell into step beside me while some of Bonefish's smaller children followed at a safe distance.
- They fell into step on the slush-covered path.
- A false step, a forgotten detail.
- And marriage, I should have thought, is a false step you must have been well warned against.
- Any false starts or false moves will result in error and the telltale bugs.
- Leicester are the sporting equivalent of those brave landmine engineers who operate in areas where one false move can destroy everything.
- No regrets, no hesitation; there were no false moves left in me.
- One false move in the conduct of the attack will spell certain doom for White.
- One false step and we would be down there too.
- Risking a false step in the bog, she sped over the path.
- As he retraced his steps of the past day avoiding streets and roads, he stayed alert to the sounds around him.
- Ellsworth, who had gone ahead, retraced his steps to shepherd the two through.
- Frankie forgot the eggs and hurriedly retraced his steps.
- He kept walking; there was little point in making them suspicious by turning round and retracing his steps.
- It's an easy walk which can be extended as far as you wish without having to retrace your steps.
- It is best to retrace your steps for the return journey.
- There are several possible routes to choose - try retracing your steps as far as Suileag.
- She stepped into her shoes, grabbed her clothes, and ran that way.
- But suddenly the sight of Giuseppe Signori's invitingly lofted ball into the penalty area put a spring in his step.
- He walks away with a high spring in his step.
- It read: Bedford, keep the spring in your step.
- Kangaroo has not changed our lives, just given us deeper pockets and put a little more spring in our steps.
- Preston emerged after the interval with a new spring in their step, and the game took on a different complexion.
- The candidates, their staffs and the press have a spring in their steps.
- There was a spring in his step, and ineffable calmness dressing his sun-brown face.
- There was a new spring in his step, a feeling of youthful zest stirring his muscles.
- He would have to watch his step on his return.
- I had to watch my step.
- I would watch my step if I were you.
- Inside I was guided down a weird stairway and told at one point to watch my step carefully.
- Opposing players really had to watch their step...
- Plus, Best foot forward, but watch your step ... aerobics can be a pain.
- Some one bumped into him and sharply told him to watch his step.
- The sign outside may say Céad Míle Faíte, but inside you watch your step.
movement [countable] the movement you make when you put one foot in front of or behind the other when walking: a video of baby’s first steps He took one step and fell.step back/forwards/towards etc Tom took a step back and held the door open. I had to retrace my steps (=go back the way I came) several times before I found the shop.2action [countable] one of a series of things that you do in order to deal with a problem or to succeedstep in (doing) something This is the first step in reforming the welfare system.step to do something The president took immediate steps to stop the fighting.step towards an important step towards peace3in a process [countable] a stage in a process, or a position on a scale: Each book goes up one step in difficulty. Record your result, and go on to step 3.step in the next step in the process Drug companies influence the scientific process every step of the way (=during every stage). Describe step by step (=describing each stage) how you went about achieving your goal. Moving to Cottage Grove represented a definite step up (=something that is better than you had before) for my parents. He saw the job as a step down (=something that is worse than he had before).4stair [countable] a flat narrow piece of wood or stone, especially one in a series, that you put your foot on when you are going up or down, especially outside a building: Jenny sat on the step in front of the house, waiting. He climbed the wooden steps and rang the bell. a flight of (=set of) broad stone steps → doorstep1(1)5distance [countable] the short distance you move when you take a step while walking SYN pace: Roy was standing only a few steps away.6sound [countable] the sound you make when you put your foot down while walking SYN footstep: I heard a step in the corridor.7dancing [countable] a movement of your feet in dancing: the steps for the Charleston8in step a)having ideas or actions that are like those of other peoplestep with He isn’t in step with ordinary voters. b)moving your feet so that your right foot goes forward at the same time as people you are walking with9out of step a)having ideas or actions that are different from those of other peoplestep with This type of training is out of step with changes in the industry. b)moving your feet in a different way from people you are walking with10watch your step (also mind your step British English) a)to be careful about what you say or how you behave: You’d better watch your step – he’s the boss here. b)to be careful when you are walking: Mind your step – the railing’s loose.11fall into step (with somebody) a)to start walking beside someone at the same speed as them: Maggie fell into step beside her. b)to start thinking or doing the same as other people: The administration has fallen into step with its European allies on this issue.12be/keep/stay one step ahead (of somebody) a)to be better prepared for something or know more about something than someone else: A good teacher is always at least one step ahead of his students. b)to manage not to be caught by someone who is trying to find or catch you13way somebody walks [countable usually singular] the way someone walks, which often tells you how they are feeling: Gianni’s usual bouncy step14steps [plural] British English a stepladder15exercise [uncountable] a type of exercise you do by walking onto and off a flat piece of equipment around 15–30 centimetres high: a step class16music [countable] American English the difference in pitch between two musical notes that are separated by one key on the piano SYN tone British EnglishCOLLOCATIONS– Meaning 2verbstake a step· The authority will take steps to reunite the child and his family.adjectivesan important/major/big step· The move is seen as a major step forward for UK firms.the first step· The first step in resolving conflict is to understand what the other person wants.the next step· He met in Washington with his campaign advisers to plan his next step.a small step· This is a small step in the right direction.a positive step (=an action that will have a good effect)· This is a positive step which gives cause for some optimism.an unusual/unprecedented step (=something that is not usually done/has never been done before)· Police last night took the unusual step of releasing photographs of him.a drastic step· The government is wary of taking any drastic steps that would scare off foreign investment.a bold step· We welcome the bold step taken by President Bush.a tentative step (=a small action, which is not done in a very determined way)· The Institute has taken a tentative step towards opening up its meetings to the public.a logical step· She felt she had an aptitude for medicine. Her next logical step would be to begin studying when the summer was over.immediate steps· We believe immediate steps could be taken to generate jobs.reasonable steps· They must take reasonable steps to ensure that this information is available to those who might benefit.necessary steps· We must be sure that we are taking the necessary steps to prevent the problem from getting a foothold here.phrasesa step forward (=an action that makes things better)· The declaration which we have just signed is a big step forward for both of our nations.a step backwards/a backward step (=an action that makes things worse)· A rationing system would be a major step backwards.a step in the right direction (=an action that helps to improve things)· Environmentalists said the law was a step in the right direction.step1 nounstep2 verb
stepstep2 ●●● S3 W3 verb (past tense and past participle stepped, present participle stepping) [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] VERB TABLE
step
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | step |
| he, she, it | steps | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | stepped |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have stepped |
| he, she, it | has stepped | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had stepped |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will step |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have stepped |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am stepping |
| he, she, it | is stepping | |
| you, we, they | are stepping | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was stepping |
| you, we, they | were stepping | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been stepping |
| he, she, it | has been stepping | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been stepping |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be stepping |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been stepping |
EXAMPLES FROM THE CORPUS
- After a few minutes, he stepped back from her.
- And it left open the fourth option, to step up military action against Hanoi and otherwise escalate the war.
- By stepping up a grade, the bond will be more valuable in the market.
- Fortunately the pair were off to different events when they stepped out in the identical £420 jackets.
- He stepped out of cover and walked up to her.
- He had also stepped on a mine.
- She stepped over to the third sink and started to scrub up.
- They had not gone far, when they had stepped into a small clearing.
Longman Language Activatorto move backwards
to walk backwards in a particular direction, especially in order to leave a room or building: · Hardy backed slowly toward the door.· Simms quietly backed out of the office, his face red with embarrassment.· When she was sure the baby was asleep, she backed softly through the bedroom door.
to walk slowly backwards, especially to get further away from someone or to avoid a dangerous situation: · "Are you crazy?'' she cried, backing away.back away from: · We slowly backed away from the rattlesnake.
especially American to move backwards a little, for example in order to give someone enough space to move: · Back up a bit so that everyone can see.· Can you back up a few steps so that I can open the door?
to walk backwards or away from the direction you were walking before, especially in order to avoid an embarrassing or unpleasant situation: · Jim saw me approaching and quickly retreated down a side street.retreat from/into/to etc: · "You haven't heard the last of this!'' shouted Spencer, retreating up the stairs.
to take one step or a few steps backwards: · Myers quickly stepped back into the house when he caught sight of us.· As the lights of a car approached he stepped back into the shadows.
to suddenly move part or all of your body backwards, away from something that is unpleasant or frightening: · She looked at the dead body and recoiled.recoil from: · She recoiled from his touch.
to move quickly and suddenly backwards in order to get away from someone, especially because you are upset, angry, or frightened: · When Helen took his arm he tried to pull away.· I tried to kiss her but she pulled away.
to behave badly to be rude, unhelpful, or unpleasant and not do what you are told to do: · I knew I'd behaved very badly, and I was sorry.· The kids behaved so badly that I was embarrassed.
someone who is badly behaved behaves badly - use this especially about children: · The hotel was full of badly behaved celebrities.
if children misbehave , they deliberately behave badly by being noisy, rude etc: · Kids often misbehave when they are bored or tired.· We never dared to misbehave in Miss Dill's classes.
if someone gets into trouble , they do something that is illegal or against the rules, especially something not very serious, and get caught doing it: · Tony is always getting into trouble at school.· Don't copy my work or we'll both get into trouble.get into trouble with: · He first got into trouble with the police at the age of 15.
if someone is up to no good , they are secretly doing something that they should not do - use this especially when you think someone may be doing something bad, but you are not completely sure: · She knew that her brother was up to no good but she didn't tell anyone.
also play up British informal to behave badly by being very active and noisy - use this especially about children: · During his parents' divorce, Robert began acting up in class.· The kids have been playing up all afternoon. They're driving me mad.
also muck about British informal to behave in a silly way when you should be working or paying attention: · Stop messing around and pay attention!· They just mucked about all afternoon and went home early.mess around with: · Paul blew off his fingers messing around with homemade rockets.
British informal to behave badly in order to find out how bad you can be before someone gets angry with you or punishes you: · For your first few days' teaching, the kids will probably try it on just to see how you react.· At home she's allowed to tell everyone what to do, but she wouldn't dare try it on at work.
to behave badly by breaking rules or disobeying orders, especially in a situation where everyone is expected to be very obedient: · The prisoners were warned that if they stepped out of line they would be severely punished.· The boss is very tough on anyone who steps out of line.
to do something in order to deal with a bad situation to do something to deal with a problem, especially one that is urgent: · Quick, do something - there's water all over the kitchen floor.· We need to do something before everyone gets fed up and quits.do something about: · When are you going to do something about this broken window?· Teenagers were dropping out of school in huge numbers, until a group of parents and teachers decided to do something about it.
to do something to stop a bad situation from happening or continuing - use this to talk about people who have a clear plan for dealing with a problem: · Unless governments take action, the Earth's atmosphere will continue to heat up.take action against: · The school will take strong action against any students using illegal drugs.take action on: · Congress is expected to take action on campaign finance reform soon.take action to do something: · The President may step in and take action to lower energy prices.
to use your power or authority to deal with an urgent problem: · We must act before the situation gets out of control.· Despite the crisis, the Commission seems unwilling to act.· Critics accuse the company of acting too slowly in notifying residents of the chemical leak.
if a government or someone in a position of power takes steps or measures , they do what is necessary to improve a situation or to deal with a problem: · The governor has not yet decided what measures should be taken.take steps/take measures to do something: · All departments must take measures now to reduce costs.· We apologize for the error and have taken steps to see that it does not happen again.take drastic measures: · Drastic measures will be taken against those who engage in terrorism.
if a person or organization moves to do something, they start to take action, especially in order to deal quickly with an urgent matter: · If anyone wants to put in a bid on the property they'll have to move quickly.move to do something: · Airport authorities are moving fast to improve security following a series of bomb threats.· In the past year the leadership has moved to strengthen their control over the party.
to get involved in a difficult situation in order to stop a fight or deal with someone else's problem: · The referee intervened when two of the players started to fight.· The situation was allowed to continue for several months before the local authorities stepped in.intervene in something: · The UN was not authorized to intervene in a country's internal affairs.intervene/step in to do something: · Soldiers intervened to prevent further bloodshed.· Thomas had listened to the argument for long enough and he stepped in to defend Miss Price.
what you say to tell someone to hurry spoken · Hurry up or you'll be late for school.· If you want tickets, you'd better hurry up. There's only a few left.hurry up and do something · Hurry up and get your things, it's time to go.
say this when you want someone to hurry, especially when you are annoyed with them for being too slow: · Come on, you two, we're going to be late.· Oh come on! We don't have all day!
also get moving especially American spoken to start to do something or go somewhere more quickly than before: · Come on Sally, get a move on!· I think we'd better get moving, it's only five minutes to boarding time.
spoken say this when you want someone who is driving to hurry: · Step on it. We have a plane to catch.· You'll have to step on it if you're going to be there by eleven thirty.
British spoken to start working quickly: · Get cracking you people! I want the whole house cleaned by four o'clock.get cracking doing something: · When Alf arrives we'll get cracking moving the furniture.get cracking with: · It's time you got cracking with your homework.
British spoken say this when you are ordering someone to do something quickly: · I need to have that job done before lunch. Come on, jump to it!
to increase the amount of something you do · We must increase public awareness of the health risks associated with sunbathing.· The government is increasing pressure on drug-traffickers.· The imposition of martial law will only increase violence and repression.
to increase your efforts or activities, especially in order to improve a situation that is not as good as you want it to be: step up something: · The US government stepped up its war against terrorism.· The police presence is to be stepped up at this year's carnival.step it up (=make a greater effort to achieve something): · It's good we were able to step it up at the end of the game.
to increase something so that it covers a wider area or range of activities: · Dr. Martin also helped expand housing opportunities for people with AIDs.· The agency hopes to expand coverage of new musical talent on its Internet site.expand something to something: · They fund programs that expand health benefits to wider segments of the community.
to increase something such as knowledge, experience, or your range of activities: · At Missouri, Wright broadened his experience by working on a local newspaper.· The library is installing new technology to broaden access to its huge store of information.· The company has broadened its product range in the US.
to increase something such as your influence or control over something: · The US government is still trying to extend its influence over European politics.· We can extend our effectiveness enormously by the use of up-to-date technology.· Time Warner recently extended its reach to the world's biggest music business.
to increase activities or efforts, especially against an enemy or someone who opposes you: · In the run-up to the election, terrorists have intensified their activities.· China is intensifying efforts to fight crime.· We have no choice but to intensify the strike campaign.· The latest merger will intensify competition among defense companies.
to put your foot on something also tread on/in British to put your foot down on something while you are standing or walking, especially accidentally: · I think I must have stepped on some glass.· I trod in some mud in the park, and tracked it into the house. · Ow, you trod on my foot, you clumsy brute!
to deliberately put your foot down very hard on something: · There was a big cockroach in the kitchen and Barbara stamped on it.· In a recent incident, youths stamped on a police officer's head as she lay injured.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY Mr Ives? Please step this way (=walk in the direction I am showing you).COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES He stepped aside to let Katherine go in first. We will take decisive steps towards political union with Europe. Critics want the government to take this a stage further and ban the film altogether. Follow our step-by-step guide. Anybody who steps out of line will be in deep trouble. The government is expected to take punitive steps against offenders. The closure of the factories is seen as a retrograde step. a step-by-step guide to making it in the music business Take each lesson step by step. The government is taking tentative steps towards tackling the country’s economic problems. She took a few uncertain steps forward. He took the unprecedented step of stating that the rumours were false.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB
Mr Ives? Please step this way (=walk in the direction I am showing you).· You should take active steps towards reducing stress.
He stepped aside to let Katherine go in first.· The following year he made a bold step to expand his business.
· Jenna sat on the bottom step.
(=the son of your stepfather or stepmother)· His dad’s new wife brought him two step-brothers.
· The country has to take concrete steps to end the violence.
· Choosing a career is a crucial decision to make.
(=a movement in a dance)· Lou was teaching me a few dance steps.
We will take decisive steps towards political union with Europe. Critics want the government to take this a stage further and ban the film altogether. Follow our step-by-step guide. (=giving details of each thing you should do in order)· This book gives step-by-step instructions for making curtains.
(=the part you put your foot on)· The can of paint was balanced on one of the steps of the ladder.
Anybody who steps out of line will be in deep trouble. The government is expected to take punitive steps against offenders. The closure of the factories is seen as a retrograde step. a step-by-step guide to making it in the music business Take each lesson step by step. The government is taking tentative steps towards tackling the country’s economic problems. She took a few uncertain steps forward. He took the unprecedented step of stating that the rumours were false.· But his dark rimmed glasses and old fashioned looks belie a career spent one step ahead.· I scrambled to learn more and managed to keep a half step ahead of humiliation.· This is stepping ahead to the next consideration of the Lady of the Hearth as she who lights and tends the fire.· It was a constant struggle to stay one step ahead of thrift regulators in Washington.· The Vadinamians are usually step ahead.· And thus begins a chase, with the Rat almost always being one step ahead.· The opportunist, it turned out, was one step ahead of me.
· Wallas Ward stepped aside with mock-deference.· Except that Esther Kim stepped aside in the finals at the U.S.· He stepped aside and the auburn-haired girl strode forward into the empty road carrying the roses loosely in her arm.· I stepped aside from the other parents in case he wanted some help, but he barely gave me a glance.· He stepped aside to let some one through.· The modem world from which I had briefly stepped aside seemed to come crowding in again.· Finally the guard steps aside and motions him through the turnstile.
· Connors stepped away and smiled pleasantly.· Take one step away from those laws and you become a lecher, a libertine, an assassin.· She told herself to step away, but her legs refused to move.· Having won so many times, he places no stigma on stepping away, regrouping, aiming for another race.· Jim said, wrapping up his remarks and stepping away from the lectern.· She watched, numbly, as Matilda lowered her arm and stepped away.
· The man stepped back into the centre of the circle, and seemed almost to go to sleep.· A more sophisticated analysis drives them to step back and ask whether success on these terms is worth it.· He stepped back at once, and the sweat of fear was upon his pale face.· I stepped back, watching the spot in the dirt where I would fall.· Creed stepped back in fright - or tried to.· Ezra stepped back, eyeing the wheel which shifted just a little left and right, commanding it to be still.· Once the macabre masque was over, Ranulf stepped back.· Simon and Tony stepped back against the wall to avoid injury.
· The figure stepped backwards into the darkness.· Startled, Bunny stepped backwards, dragging Meredith with him.· Oh, the disgusted look on women's faces as they step backwards through a doorway, out of the rain.· Anne stepped backwards, the train rocking under her feet, making her unsteady.· Time is like stepping backwards you said tonight, the future's always dark.· To step backwards into the limbo of the last five years.· We step backwards towards the car.
· Probably, the presence of a mutant gene just brings an individual one step closer to the possibility of cancer.· He stepped closer to the table for a look at his ancestors.· Another one down, another step closer to the tournament.· He stepped closer, unsmiling, slowly slid strong hands on her waist.· He stepped closer to John Russell's roan horse and I remember the first thing he said.· She shrugged off the dressing gown and stepped closer to Patrick.· He stepped closer, closed the gap between their bodies.
· John's appeal enabled Khrushchev to step down without losing face.· There was no breathing going on in this house and Mavis stepped down completely and looked expectantly at the clock.· Impressed by Chandrika's brilliant campaigning, Mrs Bandaranaike stepped down as party leader before the 1994 parliamentary elections.· He stepped down to a dirt floor two feet below the threshold.· She succeeds Caroline Marland, who is stepping down after 24 years with the company.· Since Kmart is no longer an OfficeMax shareholder, he stepped down, OfficeMax said.· Wycliffe stepped down into the little hall and pushed open the door of the shop itself.· Club coach Allen Foster stepped down last week.
· Finding or remembering an evocative scent is a good first step.· That is the necessary first step.
· Urquhart stepped forward out of the blackness, his profile framed by the window.· Tampa Bay long ago discarded playoff talk, but the Bucs are restless to step forward.· Discussions are under way over bringing this second step forward to 2000.· Then, Hoppy stepped forward with a handshake and a hug for the honoree.· He stepped forward and advanced slowly up the ramp, still singing in that voice which shook the rafters.· Karen was tapped for the Address, stepped forward, and said it perfectly.· Isaac stepped forward to stand beside Alan, and began to speak.· But some critics already have stepped forward to question whether Lake is up to the task.
· Forrester, Tinkler, Whelan, Kelly, Sharp all seem ready to step in when other players are off-form.· Brad Gillis of Night Ranger stepped in to finish the tour.· The thaw came yesterday afternoon when Dalglish's right hand man Ray Harford stepped in.· The door was locked behind them as soon as they stepped in.· The door creaked open and Berger stepped in, Eggar at his back.· It fouled up the airline for five days until President Clinton stepped in.· That's why large companies often fall and small companies step in.· But there was no health insurance agency in town, so no one stepped in to meet that need.
· Step inside, however, and you enter a technological time warp.· He pulled the doors back, stepped inside, swung the flashlight across the dirt floor.· The lock clicked as they approached, and they stepped inside.· Creed stepped inside and closed both doors again, feeling as if he'd just voluntarily shut himself up in a cell.· We take a couple of steps inside.· There was no one around in the hall to see me as I stepped inside.· After a second she nudged the screen door open and stepped inside.
· Anyone not on a sheet of paper or who steps off, drops out of the game.· Neither dares step off the treadmill while it can afford to stay in the race.· They stepped off the pavement outside and crossed over to another group of shops that curved around the square.· Within an hour of stepping off the plane I was meeting with top people at the Economic Development Board.· Burun stepped off the back of his st'lyan into the cart.· The minute we step off the plane, we see Mami has not exaggerated.· As he stepped off the pavement to cross the side street, he felt as if he were stepping off a cliff.· Guests step off the elevator into dimly lit halls, a dubious signature of Starckdesigned hotels.
· The trick was to turn off the instant you stepped on to the catwalk.· Nathan watched him step on to a crate.· She stepped on the emergency brake and got out to help Paul get his suitcase in the trunk.· So he steps on for another mouthful; and this time doesn't jump back.· New Hampshire health authorities stepped on, demanding to know where the girl was.· The moment they stepped on to the moor itself their feet sank almost to the ankle.· Entering the final lap, Boulmerka was bumped and stepped on by two runners, then bumped again from behind by another.
· Quickly, Mayli stepped out from the trolley.· Returning to the side door, he stood just inside it for a while and then stepped out to the sidewalk.· The sharp night air made them step out.· She wrapped it round herself, like a sarong, under her arms, and stepped out of the water.· Jarvis stepped out on to the stoop.· Fortunately the pair were off to different events when they stepped out in the identical £420 jackets.· It swung open easily into the vacuum, and he stepped out into the now silent centrifuge.
· It came as a shock to discover, when she stepped outside, that it was dark.· They had to step outside and corral six other men to help before they could position it tastefully in the showroom.· For days, every time you step outside, you can still smell the smoke from this fire.· The sky was almost black when he and Tom stepped outside.· But let him not step outside in the darkness!· After some time she stepped outside.· After opening the door for them, he stepped outside under the awning and watched them depart.
· In the event she had to step over one of its feet.· We step over gnarled roots, and the wet grasses brush against us as we walk.· They are stepping over the invisible, moralistic Maginot Line of the old culture of opposition.· Claudia, standing by the window, looking down at the street, knew the moment he stepped over the threshold.· Liz stepped over the bottom stair, which always creaked.· She stepped over to the third sink and started to scrub up.· There was not a man present who had not stepped over bodies of rivals to claw his way to his present position.· A man lies on the sidewalk outside Tiffany's, passers-by just stepping over him.
· She stepped right in my face.· I stepped right up and gestured in the rain; they consulted.· But this day he was all action, stepping right up to Nick and thumping him hard.
· The sampling rate has been stepped up to 100 samples per second in real time.· But I really believe everybody is going to step up.· Efforts to crush the trade have been stepped up recently.· As black participation in the economy increased, the level of repression to enforce apartheid was stepped up.· Alternatively, you could step up the exotic look and imitate the Maquis.· Special teams has to step up.· The hospital's now stepping up its own security measures.· Nervous, I stepped up to judgment.
NOUN· Who will step into the breach?· Pawelski would like to step into the breach.· So Mrs Thatcher, demonstrating hitherto unsuspected social graces, decided to step into the breach herself.· Mixed, she said, because it had given the theatre the opportunity to invite P.L. O'Hara to step into the breach.· You are very brave to step into the breach.· At the eleventh hour, Halifax has stepped into the breach.
· He says his next move is to set up an action committee to step up his campaign.· After speaking on the Senate floor in the morning, he stepped on the chartered campaign plane in a dark suit.· We'd both been inspired by Frank's release to step up our fitness campaign.· Than Tun stepped up the propaganda campaign to end military government.· In the past two weeks the administration has stepped up its campaign to encourage voluntary service.
· Shakily Ruth stepped out of the car, reaching for her raffia shoulder-bag in the back seat.· The Feldwebel stepped out of the car and opened the door for me.· Another pulled into her driveway and was bitten when she stepped out of the car.· A cordon of stagehands appeared from nowhere and surrounded me as I stepped out of the car.· She nodded, stepped out of the car.· As Jenna stepped out of the car there was only silence and she frowned at her own stupidity.· I step out of the car and draw myself up slowly to height.
· He pulled the doors back, stepped inside, swung the flashlight across the dirt floor.· The blond young man from the back door stepped into the living room; his nose was running grossly and copiously.· Jenny smacked the release button sharply, opened the door and stepped out.· The door opens and in steps a huge man-the harpooner.· She pushed the door open wider and stepped in from the porch.· Mr Johnson opened the door and stepped out.
· In the meantime, we have to step up our efforts to find this damn ship.· Another winter like this one and there might be a need for stepped up water-conservation efforts, he said.· Alton stepped up their efforts and a determined run from the back by Miller set up a series of corners.· By stepping up anti-fraud efforts, the administration hopes to save $ 3 billion over five years.
· According to his lawyer, Brooks claims he heard some one utter the N-word, so he stepped on the gas.· A car honked behind him, and Miguel gratefully stepped on the gas.· Miguel stepped on the gas, roaring past all of them with a gust of dirt.· Then he stepped on the gas and sped away from him.· He stepped on the gas suddenly.· Miguel stepped on the gas and grinned.
· But United stepped up a gear and regained the lead four minutes later.· Coleraine, out of touch in midfield, stepped up a gear and created several good chances.· The Melrose pack were able to step up a gear when they wanted, especially with Gala's entire front row absent.· The visitors heeded the warning and stepped up a gear.
· She has never stepped out of line.· He just felt it was easier to step across the state line and have people groveling at your doorstep.· It is dangerous to be too conspicuously successful, or to step out of line.· Clearly state what you want and make it worthwhile not to step over the line of intolerable behavior.· If you step out of line once more you're fired.· He's not going to step out of line unnecessarily.· Others step over the line and physically batter their children.· We are not engaged in proving the universe to be nomic, or defying it to step out of line.
· The moment they stepped on to the moor itself their feet sank almost to the ankle.· It rains nonstop from the moment I step off the plane.· One way to instil confidence is to start with a positive attitude and this starts the moment you step up to the ball.· Claudia, standing by the window, looking down at the street, knew the moment he stepped over the threshold.· Louise saw him miss the beat, and she seized the moment, stepping forward.· The moment they step out of the mystery they become ordinary.· The moment Joseph stepped through the doorway he began coughing uncontrollably.
· When Manly-Warringah dropped out of the chase, St George stepped up the pressure and have never really let off.· Rather, they said, it was the imminent death of the hunger strikers that stepped up the political pressure this week.· United began to step up their pressure and took the lead after 30 minutes when Sharpe celebrated his recall in fine style.· In almost identical terms, constituency parties in the province and Britain have stepped up the pressure for a decisive Government move.
· We step off the main road, down two steps and into one of two rooms which constitute home.· He stepped back on to the road and turned off his flashlight.· The man didn't give way, and Erlich stepped into the road to let him pass.· Just as his father stepped into the road, a car turned the corner.· Now is the time for tonics to help us forget the pain and step out on the road to recovery.· What about the greater steps on the evolutionary road?· Keeping her distance, she had stepped into the road and watched in dismay until Ixora had turned the corner.· He stepped out into the road and waved his arms.
· It was like stepping from a lit room into illimitable, unknowable night.· He looked as if he had just stepped out of a drawing room in the shires.· Then he stepped out of the room, turning off his box.· He paused for a moment, checking the hall and stairs before stepping into the room and closing the door behind him.· Then his grandmother steps into the treatment room.· I left my slippers outside and stepped into a dim room where Gandhi lay on a pallet on the earthen floor.
· She stepped into her shoes, grabbed her clothes, and ran that way.· There are the chronically shod who would only dream of stepping out of their shoes in the shower or in bed.· Their wives, hand in hand, stepping carefully in expensive shoes over the summer's jetsam, brought up the rear.· Caroline stepped from her shoes, then from her dress as she made her way across the room.· Perhaps it is the beauty of the surroundings, the tradition of stepping in the shoes of countless generations of faithful people.
VERB· But later he told a Melbourne radio station that he would demand an explanation if he were asked to step down.· I was asked to step outside while my fate was decided.· Joost asked me to step forward, remove my jacket and bend over.· The federal lawsuit asks a judge to step in and halt the project until the environmental issues are sorted out.· You should come with your cap in your hand and ask leave before you step in here.· Mr Klesch is thus being asked to step in as the disinterested negotiator.· However, I do not want to offend my local church organist by asking her to step down.· I never asked you to step in back there.
· I gave the woman a nod, and when the doors opened Janir and I stepped out on to the concrete platform.· Shrugging, she moved to the Doctor's door, and pushed it open, stepping lightly inside.· The door opens and in steps a huge man-the harpooner.· Mr Johnson opened the door and stepped out.· Willie opened the door and stepped in.· Suddenly the door opened and Clarisa stepped out.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► step something ↔ upPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► the naughty step► springy step/walk► stepping stones
1to raise one foot and put it down in front of or behind the other one in order to walk or movestep forward/back/down/into etc- I'm new here, so I don't want to step on anyone's toes.
- I told Tony I didn't want to step on his toes.
- But that will make AT&T's service and equipment-manufacturing businesses step on each other's toes again.
- I had stepped on his toes.
- It is said the reason why Taurus ran into trouble was a reluctance to step on anyone's toes.
- This will involve stepping on the toes of the takeaway market.
- The boss is very tough on anyone who steps out of line.
- The prisoners were warned that if they stepped out of line they would be severely punished.
- He's not going to step out of line unnecessarily.
- Step on it. We have a plane to catch.
- If you don't step on it we'll miss the plane.
- You'll have to step on it if you're going to be there by eleven thirty.
- Fader - Looks like a normal block, but crumbles away when you step on it!
- He was bold to ask that angels be sent, and step on it.
- The Corporal and I shouted at the Sergeant to step on it, as the explosions were getting closer.
- The third step creaked as he stepped on it.
- At the eleventh hour, Halifax has stepped into the breach.
- Mixed, she said, because it had given the theatre the opportunity to invite P.L. O'Hara to step into the breach.
- Pawelski would like to step into the breach.
- So Mrs Thatcher, demonstrating hitherto unsuspected social graces, decided to step into the breach herself.
- Who will step into the breach?
- You are very brave to step into the breach.
- Instead he fell into step, and they went on from there.
- Once again, Blue falls into step with Black, perhaps even more harmoniously than before.
- She walked to the door, trying her hardest to ignore the man who fell into step beside her.
- The Clinton administration, after some hesitation, fell into step behind Paris.
- The great horse Koulash galloped forward to join the Tsar's horses, and fell into step with them.
- The senator fell into step beside me while some of Bonefish's smaller children followed at a safe distance.
- They fell into step on the slush-covered path.
- A false step, a forgotten detail.
- And marriage, I should have thought, is a false step you must have been well warned against.
- Any false starts or false moves will result in error and the telltale bugs.
- Leicester are the sporting equivalent of those brave landmine engineers who operate in areas where one false move can destroy everything.
- No regrets, no hesitation; there were no false moves left in me.
- One false move in the conduct of the attack will spell certain doom for White.
- One false step and we would be down there too.
- Risking a false step in the bog, she sped over the path.
- As he retraced his steps of the past day avoiding streets and roads, he stayed alert to the sounds around him.
- Ellsworth, who had gone ahead, retraced his steps to shepherd the two through.
- Frankie forgot the eggs and hurriedly retraced his steps.
- He kept walking; there was little point in making them suspicious by turning round and retracing his steps.
- It's an easy walk which can be extended as far as you wish without having to retrace your steps.
- It is best to retrace your steps for the return journey.
- There are several possible routes to choose - try retracing your steps as far as Suileag.
- She stepped into her shoes, grabbed her clothes, and ran that way.
- But suddenly the sight of Giuseppe Signori's invitingly lofted ball into the penalty area put a spring in his step.
- He walks away with a high spring in his step.
- It read: Bedford, keep the spring in your step.
- Kangaroo has not changed our lives, just given us deeper pockets and put a little more spring in our steps.
- Preston emerged after the interval with a new spring in their step, and the game took on a different complexion.
- The candidates, their staffs and the press have a spring in their steps.
- There was a spring in his step, and ineffable calmness dressing his sun-brown face.
- There was a new spring in his step, a feeling of youthful zest stirring his muscles.
- He would have to watch his step on his return.
- I had to watch my step.
- I would watch my step if I were you.
- Inside I was guided down a weird stairway and told at one point to watch my step carefully.
- Opposing players really had to watch their step...
- Plus, Best foot forward, but watch your step ... aerobics can be a pain.
- Some one bumped into him and sharply told him to watch his step.
- The sign outside may say Céad Míle Faíte, but inside you watch your step.
He stepped back to let me through. I stepped outside and closed the door. Mr Ives? Please step this way (=walk in the direction I am showing you).2to bring your foot down on something SYN tread British Englishstep in/on etc I accidentally stepped in a puddle. You’re stepping on my foot.3step on somebody’s toes to offend or upset someone, especially by trying to do their work: I’m not worried about stepping on anybody’s toes.4step out of line to behave badly by breaking rules or disobeying orders5step on it (also step on the gas American English) spoken to drive faster → step into the breach at breach1(7)step down (also step aside) phrasal verb to leave your job or official position, because you want to or because you think you should: Morris should step aside until the investigation is completed.step down as Eve Johnson has stepped down as chairperson.step down from He was forced to step down from his post.step forward phrasal verb to come and offer help, information etc: Police are appealing for witnesses to step forward.step in phrasal verb to become involved in an activity, discussion, or disagreement, sometimes in order to stop trouble SYN intervene: The military may step in if the crisis continues. Parents have stepped in to provide homework help in the afternoon program.step into something phrasal verb to start doing something, or become involved in a situation: Sally stepped into the role of team leader.step out phrasal verb to leave your home or office for a short time SYN pop out British English: She’s just stepped out for a few minutes.step up phrasal verb1 step something ↔ up to increase the amount of an activity or the speed of a process in order to improve a situation: The health department is stepping up efforts to reduce teenage smoking. stepped-up security at airports2 (also step up to the plate) especially American English to agree to help someone or to be responsible for doing something: Residents will have to step up if they want to rid this area of crime.