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

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

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

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

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