stride

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follow (someone or something) in stride

To follow the direction, lead, or guidance (of someone or something); to act in accordance (with someone or something); to follow suit. I hope your little sister doesn't follow your bad behavior in stride. If you can develop a really strong social presence for your company, then your sales will follow in stride. I really hope the new president doesn't follow his predecessor in stride.

make a wide stride

To make great and rapid progress or advancement. The one-time political advisor has been making a wide stride toward absolute control of the country. We've made a wide stride in our commitment to getting the economy back on its feet, but we still have a long road ahead.

get into (one's) stride

To become comfortable with something. It took a few weeks, but I think I've finally gotten into my stride at my new job. I know that Rob has been struggling a bit since he joined the team, but I'm confident that he'll get into his stride soon enough.

in stride

Without becoming upset or disheartened. Typically used in the phrase "take (something) in stride." I'm glad to see that you've taken my constructive criticism in stride, Stu—I know that working on those areas of your game will make you a better player.

break (one's) stride

To cease moving one's legs at a certain rhythm or pace. I had to break my stride to avoid the big branch in the middle of the path.

break one's stride

to deviate from a rhythmic stride while walking, running, or marching. After I broke my stride, I never could pick up enough speed to win the race.

get into one's stride

1. Lit. [for a runner] to reach a comfortable and efficient pace. I got into my stride right away, and that helped win the race. She never got into her stride, and that's why she lost.

2. Fig. to reach one's most efficient and productive rate of doing something. When I get into my stride, I'll be more efficient. Amy will be more efficient when she gets into her stride.

put one off one's stride

1. Lit. to cause one to deviate from a rhythmic stride while walking, running, or marching. A rabbit ran across the path and put me off my stride.

2. Fig. to interfere with one's normal and natural progress or rate of progress. Your startling comments put Larry off his stride for a moment. He was put off his stride by an interruption from the audience.

reach one's stride

and hit one's stride

to do something at one's best level of ability. When I reach my stride, things will go faster, and I'll be more efficient. Now that I've hit my stride, I can work more efficiently.

stride in(to some place)

to walk with long steps into some place. Jeff strode into the restaurant and demanded the best table. He strode in and ordered roast chicken.

stride out of

some place to walk with long steps out of some place. The angry customer strode out of the shop without purchasing anything. We strode out of the restaurant, pledging never to go there again.

take something in (one's) stride

Fig. to accept advances or setbacks as the normal course of events. She faced a serious problem, but she was able to take it in her stride. I'll just take it in stride. We were afraid that success would spoil her, but she just took it in stride.

See also: stride, take

hit your stride

to start to do something confidently and well She began writing novels in the 1930s but really only hit her stride after the war.

take something in (your) stride

to calmly deal with something unpleasant and not let it have a bad effect on you There's plenty of work to do, but she seems to take it all in her stride. Cooper has learned to take such criticism in stride.

See also: stride, take

put somebody off their stride

(British, American & Australian) also put somebody off their stroke (British & Australian)

to take someone's attention away from what they are doing so they are not able to do it well She was making funny faces at me, trying to put me off my stroke. When I'm playing chess, the slightest noise can put me off my stride.

get into your stride

(British & Australian) also hit your stride (American & Australian)

to start to do something well and confidently because you have been doing it for enough time to become familiar with it Once I get into my stride, I'm sure I'll work much faster. She began writing novels in the 1930's but really only hit her stride after the war.

take something in your stride

(British, American & Australian) also take something in stride (American)

to calmly and easily deal with something unpleasant or difficult and not let it affect what you are doing There's a lot of pressure at work but she seems to take it all in her stride. A certain amount of criticism comes with the job and you have to learn to take it in stride.

See put off stride

See also: stride, take

hit one's stride

1. Achieve a steady, effective pace, as in After the first few laps around the track he hit his stride. This expression comes from horse racing, stride alluding to the regular pace of the horse. [Early 1900s]

2. Attain a maximum level of competence, as in Jack didn't really hit his stride until he started college. [First half of 1900s]

make great strides

Advance considerably, make good progress, as in He made great strides in his study of Latin. Since its earliest recorded use in 1600, this expression has taken a number of forms- make a wide stride, take strides, make rapid strides. All of them transfer a long walking step to other kinds of progress.

put one off one's stride

Also, put one off one's stroke. Interfere with one's progress, distract or disturb one, as in The interruption put her off her stride for a moment, and she took several seconds to resume her train of thought , or The noise of the airplanes overhead put her off her stroke, and she missed the next ball . The first term, first recorded in 1946, alludes to the regular pace of a walker or runner; the variant, first recorded in 1914, alludes to the regular strokes of a rower. Also see throw off the track.

take in stride

Accept something as a matter of course, not allow something to interrupt or disturb one's routine. For example, There were bound to be setbacks but Jack took them in stride. This idiom alludes to a horse clearing an obstacle without checking its stride. [c. 1900]

See also: stride, take

hit (one's) stride

1. To achieve a steady, effective pace.

2. To attain a maximum level of competence.

take in stride

To cope with calmly, without interrupting one's normal routine: taking their newfound wealth in stride.