english
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noun stride: He took one step and fell. verb walk: Step around the pile of bricks. noun stage: We will take it one step at a time.
Simple Definitions
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step forward to offer to provide or do something, or to help with something • No one has yet stepped forward to claim responsibility for the attack. • At the last minute another company stepped forward with a bid.
Cambridge-Phrasal Verbs
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step aside formal to step sideways to make a space for someone else • Step aside, please - this lady needs a doctor.
Cambridge-Phrasal Verbs
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step out on sb US informal If you step out on your husband, wife or usual sexual partner, you have sexual relationships with people other than them.
Cambridge-Phrasal Verbs
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step aside/down to leave an important job or position, especially to allow someone else to take your place • He has decided to step down as captain of the team. • He is unwilling to step aside in favour of a younger person.
Cambridge-Phrasal Verbs
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step verbs take a step • The authority will take steps to reunite the child and his family. adjectives an important/major/big step • The move is seen as a major step forward for UK firms. the first step • The first step in resolving conflict is to understand what the other person wants. the next step • He met in Washington with his campaign advisers to plan his next step. a small step • This is a small step in the right direction. a positive step (= an action that will have a good effect ) • This is a positive step which gives cause for some optimism. an unusual/unprecedented step (= something that is not usually done/has never been done before ) • Police last night took the unusual step of releasing photographs of him. a drastic step • The government is wary of taking any drastic steps that would scare off foreign investment. a bold step • We welcome the bold step taken by President Bush. a tentative step (= a small action, which is not done in a very determined way ) • The Institute has taken a tentative step towards opening up its meetings to the public. a logical step • She felt she had an aptitude for medicine. Her next logical step would be to begin studying when the summer was over. immediate steps • We believe immediate steps could be taken to generate jobs. reasonable steps • They must take reasonable steps to ensure that this information is available to those who might benefit. necessary steps • We must be sure that we are taking the necessary steps to prevent the problem from getting a foothold here. phrases a step forward (= an action that makes things better ) • The declaration which we have just signed is a big step forward for both of our nations. a step backwards/a backward step (= an action that makes things worse ) • A rationing system would be a major step backwards. a step in the right direction (= an action that helps to improve things ) • Environmentalists said the law was a step in the right direction.
transnet.ir
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step in to become involved in a difficult situation or argument in order to help find a solution • [ + to infinitive ]: An outside buyer has stepped in to save the company from going out of business. • When the leading actress broke her leg, Isobel stepped in and took over.
Cambridge-Phrasal Verbs
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verb ADV. briskly, quickly | hastily, smartly He stepped back smartly from the edge. | slowly | silently | delicately, lightly | carefully, gingerly He stepped gingerly over the cat. | boldly | aside, away, back, close, down, forward, inside, out, outside Would you like to step inside for a few minutes? PREP. across, from, in, in front of, into, on, onto, out of, over, past, through, towards Don't step in the puddle.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
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step sth down [ M ] to reduce the amount, supply or rate of something • The doctor has said that I can start stepping down my medication in a few days' time. • This device is used for stepping down the voltage.
Cambridge-Phrasal Verbs
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step on sb informal to treat someone unfairly or unkindly
Cambridge-Phrasal Verbs
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noun in walking, running, etc. ADJ. large, small | heavy, light | quick, slow | hesitant | involuntary I gasped and took an involuntary step backwards. | careful | unsteady VERB + STEP go, take He'd only gone a few steps, when he realized he'd left his wallet behind. | retrace You might find your ticket if you retrace your steps back to the car. PREP. ~ (away) from She was only a step away from the cliff edge. | ~ towards He took a hesitant step towards her. PHRASES a spring in your step I had a spring in my step when I walked into that office for the last time. | a step ahead/behind He lagged a few steps behind. | a step back/backwards/forward/sideways, a step closer/nearer, with each/every step He grew fainter with every step. in dancing ADJ. dance | jive, tango, etc. VERB + STEP execute, perform He executed some jive steps on the pavement. | learn | keep in She had trouble keeping in step. PREP. in ~, out of ~ (with) He was out of step with the music. action taken in order to achieve sth ADJ. big, considerable, giant, huge, massive | small | critical, crucial, decisive, essential, great, important, key, major, vital | first, initial, preliminary | final, last | additional, further, next What's the next step? | logical, necessary, reasonable We shall take all necessary steps to prevent public disorder. | active | forward, positive | backward, retrograde The new law is seen by many as a backward step. | bold, brave, reckless | dramatic, drastic, extraordinary, rare, unprecedented, unusual | irreversible, irrevocable It suddenly struck her that having a baby was an irrevocable step. | careful, precautionary | faltering, tentative They have taken their first tentative steps towards democracy. | practical | welcome | immediate, urgent I shall take immediate steps to have this matter put right. | false One false step could mean disaster. VERB + STEP go, make, take | follow If you follow all the steps, nothing will go wrong. PREP. ~ in The move was a first step in establishing a union. | ~ to/towards The talks mark a step towards peace. PHRASES bring sth/be/come/move a step closer/nearer (to sth) Greece moved a step closer to the World Cup finals with last night's win. | a short step from/to sth It's only a short step from this disorder to complete chaos. | a step back/backwards/forward The offer constitutes a considerable step forward. | step by step a step-by-step guide to setting up an aquarium | a step further If he goes one step further with this crazy idea, I'll resign. | a step in the right direction The new speed limit does not solve the problem, but it is a step in the right direction. | a step on the road/way to sth on stairs, a ladder, etc. ADJ. bottom, top VERB + STEP mind Mind the step! PREP. on a/the ~ She paused on the top step. PHRASES a step down/up There are three steps down to the garden. steps: set of steps ADJ. front | back | outside QUANT. flight You have to go up four flights of steps to get up to the roof. VERB + STEP ascend, climb, go/run, etc. up, mount She went up a flight of steps to the side entrance. | descend, go/run, etc. down STEP + VERB lead to sth The front steps lead to an enormous terrace. PREP. ~ (down/up) to the steps down to the pool PHRASES the bottom/foot/top of the steps
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
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step into sth UK informal If you step into a job, you get it very easily • He just stepped straight into a job as soon as he left college.
Cambridge-Phrasal Verbs
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step sth up [ M ] to increase the size, amount or speed of a process that is intended to achieve something • The police are stepping up their efforts to fight crime. • Following the bomb explosion, security has been stepped up at the airport.
Cambridge-Phrasal Verbs
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In addition to the idioms beginning with STEP, Also see FALSE STEP; IN STEP; (STEP) OUT OF LINE; TAKE STEPS; WATCH ONE'S STEP.
American Heritage Idioms