step

▪ I. step step ¹ [step] noun [countable]

1. one of a series of things that you do to deal with a problem or to succeed:

• The changes are only the first step in a long-term plan.

• Japan took steps to boost confidence in its tumbling stock market.

step towards

• Sweeping reforms were announced in a step towards a free-market economy.

2. a stage in a process or a position on a scale:

step on

• Every year you go up one step on the salary scale.

• I've taken the first step on the managerial ladder.

• Nina's promotion is quite a step up for one so young.

3. be out of step if people, organizations etc are out of step, their ideas, actions etc are different from other people's, especially because they are old-fashioned:

be out of step with

• The fast food chain has been out of step with consumers' changing eating patterns in recent years.

4. be one step ahead (of somebody) to be better prepared or know more about something:

• In business, you need to be one step ahead of your competitors.

  [m0] ▪ II. step step ² verb stepped _PTandPPX stepping _PRESPARTX

step forward phrasal verb [intransitive]

to come and offer help:

• So far, only one potential investor has stepped forward.

step forward step forward to do something

• Many of his colleagues stepped forward to publicly defend him.

step down also step aside phrasal verb [intransitive] HUMAN RESOURCES

to leave your job or official position:

step down as

• Eve has stepped down as chairperson.

• The director is stepping down in favour of a younger man.

step in phrasal verb [intransitive]

to become involved in a discussion or disagreement, especially in order to prevent trouble; = intervene:

• If the dispute continues, the government will have to step in.

step something → up phrasal verb [transitive]

to increase the amount of an activity or the speed of a process in order to improve a situation:

• We will be stepping up production to meet increased demand.

* * *

Ⅰ.

step UK US /step/ verb [I]

● step into the breach — Cf. step into the breach

● step on it — Cf. step on it

● step out of line — Cf. step out of line

Ⅱ.

step UK US /step/ noun [C]

► a stage in a process: the first/next step »

What's the first step in the programme?

»

Following the success of our products in Europe, the logical next step is to move into the American market.

a step ahead/behind »

We have to stay a step ahead of our competitors.

► an action taken for a particular purpose: take steps to do sth »

We need to take drastic steps to reduce pollution.

● in step — Cf. in step

● out of step — Cf. out of step

● a/one step at a time — Cf. one step at a time

● step by step — Cf. step by step

● a step forward/in the right direction — Cf. a step in the right direction