step
/stɛp/ noun A2- An advance or movement made from one foot to the other; a pace.
- A rest, or one of a set of rests, for the foot in ascending or descending, as a stair, or a rung of a ladder.
- The part of a spade, digging stick or similar tool that a digger's foot rests against and presses on when digging; an ear, a foot-rest.
- The button joining a glass's stem to its foot.
- A distinct part of a process; stage; phase. · He improved step by step, or by steps.· The first step is to find a job.
- A running board where passengers step to get on and off the bus. · The driver must have a clear view of the step in order to prevent accidents.
- The space passed over by one movement of the foot in walking or running. · One step is generally about three feet, but may be more or less.
- A small space or distance. · It is but a step.
Plural steps
Phrasal verbs and expressions
- step aside To move out of the way of somebody or something.
- step back Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see step, ...
- step down Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see step, ...
- step forward to take one or more steps forward, especially in response...
- step in To act as a replacement or substitute.
- step into To take or assume a role.
- step off To measure by steps or paces; hence, to divide (a space),...
- step on To adulterate (a drug) for the purpose of increasing its ...
- step out To exit a place on foot, often for a short time.
- step over To relocate oneself to a position of a few steps away; st...
- step up To assume or take responsibility.
- step up To increase, augment, or advance, especially by one or mo...
From the library
His road home lay across a stream into which his Ass, making a false step, fell by accident and rose up again with his load considerably lighter, as the water melted the sack.
The Peddler retraced his steps and refilled his panniers with a larger quantity of salt than before.
Danglars retreated a step or two.
Danglars and Caderousse set off upon their errand at full speed; but ere they had gone many steps they perceived a group advancing towards them, composed of the betrothed pair, a party of young girls in attendance on the bride, by whose side walked Dantès’ father; the whole brought up by Fernand, whose lips wore their usual sinister smile.
Other matches
- step To move the foot in walking A1
- step A stepchild. C2
- step aside To move out of the way of somebody or something.
- step back Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: ...
- step down Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: ...
- step forward to take one or more steps forward, especially i...
- step in To act as a replacement or substitute.
- step into To take or assume a role.
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