step on it

step

S0738500 (stĕp)n.1. a. The single complete movement of raising one foot and putting it down in another spot, as in walking.b. A manner of walking; a particular gait.c. A fixed rhythm or pace, as in marching: keep step.d. The sound of a footstep.e. A footprint: steps in the mud.2. a. The distance traversed by moving one foot ahead of the other.b. A very short distance: just a step away.c. steps Course; path: turned her steps toward home.3. One of a series of rhythmical, patterned movements of the feet used in a dance: diagrammed the basic steps to the mambo.4. a. A rest for the foot in ascending or descending.b. steps Stairs.c. Something, such as a ledge or an offset, that resembles a step of a stairway.d. A low platform used for exercise, as in step aerobics.5. a. One of a series of actions, processes, or measures taken to achieve a goal.b. A stage in a process: followed every step in the instructions.6. A degree in progress or a grade or rank in a scale: a step up in the corporate hierarchy.7. Music a. The interval that separates two successive tones of a scale.b. A degree of a scale.8. Nautical The block in which the heel of a mast is fixed.v. stepped, step·ping, steps v.intr.1. To put or press the foot: step on the brake.2. To shift or move slightly by taking a step or two: step back.3. To walk a short distance to a specified place or in a specified direction: step over to the corner.4. To move with the feet in a particular manner: step lively.5. To move into a new situation by or as if by taking a single step: stepping into a life of ease.6. To treat someone with arrogant indifference: He is always stepping on other people.v.tr.1. To put or set (the foot) down: step foot on land.2. To measure by pacing: step off ten yards.3. To furnish with steps; make steps in: terraces that are stepped along the hillside.4. Computers To cause (a computer) to execute a single instruction.5. Nautical To place (a mast) in its step.Phrasal Verbs: step aside To resign from a post, especially when being replaced. step down1. To resign from a high post.2. To reduce, especially in stages: stepping down the electric power. step in1. To enter into an activity or a situation.2. To intervene. step out1. To walk briskly.2. To go outside for a short time.3. Informal To go out for a special evening of entertainment.4. To withdraw; quit. step up1. To increase, especially in stages: step up production.2. To come forward: step up and be counted.3. To improve one's performance or take on more responsibility, especially at a crucial time.Idioms: in step1. Moving in rhythm.2. In conformity with one's environment: in step with the times. out of step1. Not moving in rhythm: recruits marching out of step.2. Not in conformity with one's environment: out of step with the times. step by step By degrees. step on it Informal To go faster; hurry.

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[Middle English, from Old English stæpe, stepe.]

Thesaurus

Verb

1.step on it - move fast; "He rushed down the hall to receive his guests"; "The cars raced down the street"belt along, bucket along, cannonball along, hie, hotfoot, pelt along, race, rush, rush along, speed, hastengo, locomote, move, travel - change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically; "How fast does your new car go?"; "We travelled from Rome to Naples by bus"; "The policemen went from door to door looking for the suspect"; "The soldiers moved towards the city in an attempt to take it before night fell"; "news travelled fast"barge, push forward, thrust ahead - push one's way; "she barged into the meeting room"shoot down, tear, buck, charge, shoot - move quickly and violently; "The car tore down the street"; "He came charging into my office"dash, scoot, scud, dart, flash, shoot - run or move very quickly or hastily; "She dashed into the yard"

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