Collocations for step - noun
1. in walking, running, etc.
ADJ.
large, small | heavy, light | quick, slow | hesitant | involuntary
I gasped and took an involuntary step backwards.
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.
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.
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.
She was only a step away from the cliff edge.
~ towards
He took a hesitant step towards her.
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.
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.
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.
He grew fainter with every step.
2. in dancing
ADJ.
dance | jive, tango, etc.
VERB + STEP
execute, perform
He executed some jive steps on the pavement.
He executed some jive steps on the pavement.
learn | keep in
She had trouble keeping in step.
She had trouble keeping in step.
PREP.
in ~, out of ~ (with)
He was out of step with the music.
He was out of step with the music.
3. 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?
What''s the next step?
logical, necessary, reasonable
We shall take all necessary steps to prevent public disorder.
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.
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.
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.
They have taken their first tentative steps towards democracy.
practical | welcome | immediate, urgent
I shall take immediate steps to have this matter put right.
I shall take immediate steps to have this matter put right.
false
One false step could mean disaster.
One false step could mean disaster.
VERB + STEP
go, make, take | follow
If you follow all the steps, nothing will go wrong.
If you follow all the steps, nothing will go wrong.
PREP.
~ in
The move was a first step in establishing a union.
The move was a first step in establishing a union.
~ to/towards
The talks mark a step towards peace.
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.
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.
It''s only a short step from this disorder to complete chaos.
a step back/backwards/forward
The offer constitutes a considerable step forward.
The offer constitutes a considerable step forward.
step by step
a step-by-step guide to setting up an aquarium
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.
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.
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
4. on stairs, a ladder, etc.
ADJ.
bottom, top
VERB + STEP
mind
Mind the step!
Mind the step!
PREP.
on a/the ~
She paused on the top step.
She paused on the top step.
PHRASES
a step down/up
There are three steps down to the garden.
There are three steps down to the garden.
5. 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.
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.
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.
The front steps lead to an enormous terrace.
PREP.
~ (down/up) to
the steps down to the pool
the steps down to the pool
PHRASES
the bottom/foot/top of the steps