stride

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.

See also: break

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.

See also: get

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.

See also: one, put

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.

See also: reach

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.

See also: out

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: take

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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.

See also: get

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.

See also: put

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: take

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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.

See also: hit

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: take