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
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
PREP
- on a/the ~
- She paused on the top step
PHRASES
- a step down/up
- There are three steps down to the garden
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