step (redirected from stepped back)

be one step ahead

to be slightly better prepared or more successful than someone else. Throughout the incident, the hijackers were always one step ahead of the police. (usually + of)

See also: ahead

keep/stay one step ahead

be one step ahead - to be slightly better prepared or more successful than someone else. Crop breeders are continuously developing pesticides to keep one step ahead of the pests. (usually + of)

See also: ahead, keep, stay

Mind/Watch your step.

something that you say in order to tell someone to walk carefully. Watch your step, the floor's wet and it's a bit slippery.

See also: mind, watch

move/step up a gear

to start to work or play more effectively or quickly than before. With just five lengths to go, the German swimmer stepped up a gear and edged ahead to win the race.

See also: gear, move

One step forward, two steps back.

something that you say which means every time you make progress, something bad happens which causes you to be in a worse situation than you were to begin with. Every solution we come up with seems to create more problems than it solves, so it's one step forward, two steps back.

See also: back, two

step into someone's shoes

to take the job or position that someone else had before you. When his father retires, Victor will be ready to step into his shoes. It will take a very special person to fill Barbara's shoes.

See also: shoe

step into the breach (formal)

to do someone's work when they are suddenly not able to do it. Professor Collier stepped into the breach when the guest lecturer failed to turn up.

Step on it! (British, American & Australian, informal, American & Australian, informal)

something that you say to someone when you want them to drive more quickly. Step on the gas, will you, we have to be there in five minutes!

step out of line

to not behave as you are ordered or expected to. It was made quite clear to me that if I stepped out of line again I'd be out of a job.

See also: line

step/tread on someone's toes

to say or do something which upsets someone, especially by becoming involved in something which is their responsibility. I'd like to make some changes to the working procedures, but I don't want to tread on anyone's toes.

See also: toe, tread

watch your step

to make sure that you do not say or do anything that causes you to get into trouble. He'd better watch his step if he wants to carry on working here.

See also: watch

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in step with someone/something

1. in agreement with someone or something. She is very much in step with the times.

2. at the same speed or level as someone or something else. He found it hard to keep in step with the changes. Gasoline prices rose in step with oil prices.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of moving your legs at the same time as someone you are walking with

one step ahead

slightly better prepared or more successful than someone else. The filmmaker manages to keep one step ahead of his critics by constantly trying new ideas.

Usage notes: often used with the verbs be, keep, or stay: In this business, you have to be one step ahead of the competition.

See also: ahead

out of step (with something)

1. not having the same ideas or beliefs as a group you are part of. The governor's remarks show she is seriously out of step with voters.

2. not aware of something. Many parents are surprisingly out of step with the reality of drugs in their children's lives.

Usage notes: often used as a criticism: My dad's clothing store, once successful, is now dismissed as old and out of step.

step back

to pause in an activity, esp. to consider what to do next. We need to step back and look at all our options.

See also: back

step by step

gradually or slowly. These changes need to be made step by step.

Usage notes: also used in the form a step at a time: He wanted to rush through the job, but I encouraged him to take it a step at a time.

step down

to stop doing a job or stop having a position. She stepped down as captain of the team.

See also: down

step in

to become involved. An outside buyer stepped in to save the company.

step up to the plate

a step in the right direction

an action that is expected to bring good results. Both sides agreed that continuing the talks was a step in the right direction.

See also: right

step into the breach

to do work that someone else is not able or not willing to do. Other institutions are stepping into the breach to make loans where banks will not.

Usage notes: also used in the form throw someone into the breach: Friedman was thrown into the breach when our head coach suddenly quit.

step on it

to hurry in order to get something done quickly. We'd better step on it or we'll still be here when they get back.

step on the gas

to hurry in order to get something done quickly. If we're going to get this done today, it's time to step on the gas.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of step on the gas (= to make a car go faster by giving the engine more gas)

See also: gas

step on (someone's) toes

to upset someone, esp. by getting involved in something that is their responsibility. It's hard to make changes in the department without stepping on a lot of toes. He's willing to step on toes to get things done.

See also: toe

step out

to leave a place, esp. for a short time. Mr. Taylor just stepped out of the office to get the mail.

step up something

to make something larger, faster, or more effective. Following the explosion the airport authorities stepped up security. We had to step our defense up and move the ball better.

Usage notes: also used in the form step it up: The coach said that if we don't step it up in the second half we're in trouble.

step up to the plate

to take responsibility for doing something. It is time companies stepped up to the plate and made sure the meat they sell is safe to eat.

step in

Etymology: based on the baseball meaning of step up to the plate (= move into position to hit the ball)

See also: plate

watch your step

to be careful in a situation that could be dangerous. You have to watch your step when you're dealing with him, as he has an awful temper.

watch your back

See also: watch