step

 Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++朗文当代英语 5++LDOCE 5++朗文 5++

Related topics: Buildings, Dance, Other sports, Music

step1 /step/ ●●● S2 W1 noun  1  movement 移动 [countable]WALK the movement you make when you put one foot in front of or behind the other when walking 脚步，步 a video of baby’s first steps 一盒婴儿学步的录像带 He took one step and fell. 他走了一步就跌倒了。step back/forwards/towards etc Tom took a step back and held the door open. 汤姆后退一步，把门撑开着。 I had to retrace my steps (=go back the way I came) several times before I found the shop. 我来回走了几次才找到那家商店。2  action 动作,行动 [countable]DO something/TAKE ACTIONPROGRESS one of a series of things that you do in order to deal with a problem or to succeed 〔一系列行动中的〕步骤；措施step in (doing) something This is the first step in reforming the welfare system. 这是福利制度改革的第一步。step to do something The president took immediate steps to stop the fighting. 总统立即采取措施阻止战斗。step towards an important step towards peace 通往和平的重要一步3  in a process 在过程中 [countable]PROGRESS a stage in a process, or a position on a scale 阶段；进程；等级，级别 Each book goes up one step in difficulty. 每本书的难度都加深一级。 Record your result, and go on to step 3. 把你的成绩记录下来，再接着进入步骤三。step in the next step in the process 流程的下一步 Drug companies influence the scientific process every step of the way (=during every stage). 制药公司影响着科研过程的每一步。 Describe step by step (=describing each stage) how you went about achieving your goal. 请你一步步来描述你是如何实现目标的。 Moving to Cottage Grove represented a definite step up (=something that is better than you had before) for my parents. 搬到卡蒂奇格罗夫对我父母来说绝对意味着一个改善。 He saw the job as a step down (=something that is worse than he had before). 他认为那份工作降了一个档次。4  stair 楼梯 [countable]TBB a flat narrow piece of wood or stone, especially one in a series, that you put your foot on when you are going up or down, especially outside a building 梯级，台阶 Jenny sat on the step in front of the house, waiting. 珍妮坐在房前的台阶上等着。 He climbed the wooden steps and rang the bell. 他爬上木楼梯，按响门铃。 a flight of (=set of) broad stone steps 一段宽宽的石阶 → doorstep1(1) →4  See picture of 见图 STAIRCASE →5 see picture at 见图 staircase5  distance 距离 [countable]NEAR the short distance you move when you take a step while walking 一步（的距离） SYN pace Roy was standing only a few steps away. 罗伊站在只有几步之遥的地方。6  sound 声音 [countable]SOUND the sound you make when you put your foot down while walking 脚步声 SYN footstep I heard a step in the corridor. 我听到走廊里有脚步声。7  dancing 舞蹈 [countable]APDDANCE a movement of your feet in dancing 舞步 the steps for the Charleston 查尔斯顿舞的舞步8  in step a) AGREEhaving ideas or actions that are like those of other people 〔与他人的观点或行为〕一致，相同in step with He isn’t in step with ordinary voters. 他和普通选民步调不一致。 b) PMAWALKmoving your feet so that your right foot goes forward at the same time as people you are walking with 〔与他人〕步伐一致9  out of step a) DIFFERENThaving ideas or actions that are different from those of other people 〔与他人的观点或行为〕不一致，不合拍out of step with This type of training is out of step with changes in the industry. 这种培训和该行业的变化不同步。 b) PMAmoving your feet in a different way from people you are walking with 〔与他人〕步伐不一致10  watch your step  (also mind your step British English) a) CAREFULto be careful about what you say or how you behave 说话 [做事]要谨慎 You’d better watch your step – he’s the boss here. 你最好注意自己的言行——他是这里的老板。 b) CAREFULto be careful when you are walking 走路小心 Mind your step – the railing’s loose. 走路当心——栏杆松动了。11  fall into step (with somebody) a) WALKto start walking beside someone at the same speed as them （与某人）步伐一致起来 Maggie fell into step beside her. 玛吉在她身边和她齐步并行。 b) to start thinking or doing the same as other people 〔与他人的观点或行为〕开始保持一致[相同] The administration has fallen into step with its European allies on this issue. 在这个问题上，政府已与其欧洲各盟国步调一致。12  be/keep/stay one step ahead (of somebody) PREPARE a) to be better prepared for something or know more about something than someone else （比某人）领先一步，（比某人）准备更充分[了解更多] A good teacher is always at least one step ahead of his students. 好老师总是比他的学生至少先行一步。 b) to manage not to be caught by someone who is trying to find or catch you 成功地躲避〔想要找到或抓到你的人〕13  way SB walks 某人走路的方式 [countable usually singular]WALK the way someone walks, which often tells you how they are feeling 步态；走路的姿势 Gianni’s usual bouncy step 詹尼一贯轻快的步伐14. steps [plural] British EnglishD a stepladder 活（动）梯， 折梯15  exercise 锻炼 [uncountable]DSO a type of exercise you do by walking onto and off a flat piece of equipment around 15–30 centimetres high 踏板操 a step class 踏板操班16. music 音乐 [countable] American EnglishAPM the difference in pitch between two musical notes that are separated by one key on the piano 〔音乐中的〕音级，度 SYN British English tone COLLOCATIONS – Meaning 2: one of a series of things that you do in order to deal with a problem or to succeed 〔一系列行动中的〕步骤；措施verbstake a step 采取措施The authority will take steps to reunite the child and his family. 当局将会采取措施让孩子与家人团聚。adjectivesan important/major/big step 一个重要/重大/很大的一步The move is seen as a major step forward for UK firms. 这一举动对英国公司来说被认为是向前迈进了一大步。the first step 第一步The first step in resolving conflict is to understand what the other person wants. 解决争端的第一步是要搞清对方想要什么。the next step 下一步He met in Washington with his campaign advisers to plan his next step. 他在华盛顿会见竞选顾问,计划下一步行动。a small step 一小步This is a small step in the right direction. 这是朝着正确方向迈出的一小步。a positive step (=an action that will have a good effect) 积极的一步This is a positive step which gives cause for some optimism. 这是积极的一步,引发了某种乐观情绪。an unusual/unprecedented step (=something that is not usually done/has never been done before) 不寻常/前所未有的一步Police last night took the unusual step of releasing photographs of him. 警方昨晚采取了不寻常的行动,公开了他的照片。na drastic stepThe government is wary of taking any drastic steps that would scare off foreign investment.na bold stepWe welcome the bold step taken by President Bush.na 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.na logical stepShe felt she had an aptitude for medicine. Her next logical step would be to begin studying when the summer was over.immediate steps 立即行动We believe immediate steps could be taken to generate jobs. 我们相信可以立即采取行动创造就业机会。reasonable steps 合理的步骤nThey must take reasonable steps to ensure that this information is available to those who might benefit.necessary steps 必要的步骤nWe must be sure that we are taking the necessary steps to prevent the problem from getting a foothold here.phrasesa step forward (=an action that makes things better) 向前迈进的一步The declaration which we have just signed is a big step forward for both of our nations. 我们刚刚签署的公告对于我们两国来说都是向前迈进的重大一步。a step backwards/a backward step (=an action that makes things worse) 倒退的一步A rationing system would be a major step backwards. 实行配给制将是一个重大倒退。a step in the right direction (=an action that helps to improve things) 朝正确方向迈出的一步Environmentalists said the law was a step in the right direction. 环境保护主义者称该项法律是朝正确方向迈出的一步。

Examples from the Corpus

step• Completing your degree would move you up a step on the salary scale.• a beginners' step class• Of course, starting the job-search is always a big step.• Her first big step towards a career in movies was her move to Hollywood.• Tom and Marge caught the gondola from the church steps to San Marco, and walked from there to the Gritti.• I was so breathless, I could only manage a few steps.• Identifying the cause of a disease must always be the first step towards finding a cure.• The first step towards achieving peace in the region will be to elect a government that represents all the people.• Nelson was no more than four or five steps away.• The discovery of penicillin was a gigantic step in the treatment of infections.• Sal quickened his steps toward the hotel.• Re-thinking our management techniques would be an important step in the right direction.• The new law on drunk driving is being seen as a major step forward.• I would watch my step if I were you.• Baker said his next step will be to demand a new trial.• Now that we've identified the problem, what's the next step?• The next step will be to make the pasta sauce.• Continue for as long as possible and record the number of steps.• Have visual and verbal behaviours out of step with each other.• The thieves slipped the Torah scroll from the case and left the metal decoration on steps near the synagogue.• The doctors say I'll make a full recovery, but I'm going to have to take it one step at a time.• He took a quick step backward.• Marge could hear a man's steps in the hall.• She walked briskly, with quick, short steps.• I can't remember all the steps.• Louie wailed, bolting off the steps into his house.• When he came up the steps on to the terrace, most of his child followers had fallen away.• Ellen ran up the steps and banged on the door.took ... step• In this same year the Athenians took a fateful step in internal policy.• Long before that, however, Adams's company took a bold step forward.• The following day Charlie managed a little food, took a few painful steps the day after and could run a week later.• Grimma took another step forward and caught it a backward thump across the muzzle.• He took another step and found himself stopped again.• John Ramsey and his wife, Patricia, almost immediately took steps that appeared designed to protect themselves from possible prosecution.• The law took these steps but unexpectedly postponed them to the year 2000.• In the summer, the two sides took the unprecedented step in the Warsaw Pact of recalling their two ambassadors.step in (doing) something• That's why large companies often fall and small companies step in.• Employee involvement represents Ford's first step in the long-term renegotiation of the psychological contract between the individual worker and the company.• Getting her breathing in some other way would be a major step in her rehabilitation.• The preliminary step in both reactions involves the hydrolysis of triglyceride to glycerol and fatty acids.• Brad Gillis of Night Ranger stepped in to finish the tour.• Simon stepped in after they met at Barcelona.• They are becoming increasingly concerned that governments are about to step in unless they act first.• When to step in Still, there are situations where companies should consider stepping in, human resources officials say.every step of the way• Health problems have plagued him almost every step of the way.• At every step of the way, some fractional increase in lung area will be an advantage.• Pam has been very careful about expenses every step of the way.• The other girls were giggling every step of the way.• At Adkin we pride ourselves on giving you that help every step of the way.• Particular attention should be paid to the lower spine and leg muscles - they remember every step of the way.• He's been by her side every step of the way.• I climbed up to the second story of Mrs James's house sighing every step of the way.• Fabia was conscious of Ven every step of the way, but tried her hardest to concentrate her thoughts elsewhere.climbed ... steps• He hurried ahead, climbed the steps and pushed past twenty pairs of knees.• As he turned on the attic lights and climbed the creaking steps, he smelled it more distinctly than before.• As I climbed the steps my palms began to sweat.• I climbed the steps to the Ahronsons' apartment and rang the bell.• Mike climbed the steps without speaking, and unloaded his cameras and camera bag on a mat.• She climbed the rickety steps set into the hillside and got up to the porch of the Katz house.• Mark wearily climbed the steps of number 89, and let himself in.step2 ●●● S3 W3 verb (stepped, stepping) [intransitive always + adverb/preposition]  1  WALKto raise one foot and put it down in front of or behind the other one in order to walk or move 跨步，迈步step forward/back/down/into etc He stepped back to let me through. 他后退一步让我通过。 I stepped outside and closed the door. 我走出去关上门。 Mr Ives? Please step this way (=walk in the direction I am showing you). 是艾夫斯先生吗？请这边走。2  STANDto bring your foot down on something 踏，踩 SYN British English treadstep in/on etc I accidentally stepped in a puddle. 我不小心踩进了水坑。 You’re stepping on my foot. 你踩到我的脚了。3  step on somebody’s toes to offend or upset someone, especially by trying to do their work 〔尤因插手他人工作〕激怒[冒犯]某人 I’m not worried about stepping on anybody’s toes. 我不担心得罪任何人。4. step out of line BEHAVE#to behave badly by breaking rules or disobeying orders 行为出轨；违反规矩[命令]5. step on it  (also step on the gas American English) spokenFAST/QUICK to drive faster 加速，加快；踩油门 → step into the breach at breach1(7) PHRASAL VERBS6 step down (also step aside) phrasal verb LEAVE A JOB OR ORGANIZATIONto leave your job or official position, because you want to or because you think you should 辞职；下台；让位 Morris should step aside until the investigation is completed. 莫里斯应该停职直到调查结束。 as Eve Johnson has stepped down as chairperson. 伊夫·约翰逊已经辞去主席的职务。 from He was forced to step down from his post. 他被迫下台。7 step forward phrasal verb HELPto come and offer help, information etc 主动站出来〔提供帮助、信息等〕 Police are appealing for witnesses to step forward. 警方呼吁目击者主动站出来。8 step in phrasal verb DO BADLYto become involved in an activity, discussion, or disagreement, sometimes in order to stop trouble 介入，干涉，插手 SYN intervene The military may step in if the crisis continues. 如果危机持续下去，军方可能会介入。 Parents have stepped in to provide homework help in the afternoon program. 在下午的活动中，家长们参与进来帮助完成课后作业。9 step into something phrasal verb to start doing something, or become involved in a situation 开始做，开始介入 Sally stepped into the role of team leader. 萨莉开始担任队长。10 step out phrasal verb GOto leave your home or office for a short time 出去一会儿，暂时离开〔家或办公室〕 SYN British English pop out She’s just stepped out for a few minutes. 她就出去一会儿。11 step up phrasal verb a) INCREASE IN ACTIVITY, FEELINGS ETC step something ↔ up to increase the amount of an activity or the speed of a process in order to improve a situation 使增加；使上升；使加快 The health department is stepping up efforts to reduce teenage smoking. 卫生部门正加大力度减少青少年吸烟人数。 stepped-up security at airports 升级了的机场安全措施b) (also step up to the plate) especially American English to agree to help someone or to be responsible for doing something 采取行动〔帮助某人或负责某事〕 Residents will have to step up if they want to rid this area of crime. 居民如果想消除本地区的犯罪现象就必须行动起来。→ See Verb table

Examples from the Corpus

step• After a few minutes, he stepped back from her.• They had not gone far, when they had stepped into a small clearing.• He had also stepped on a mine.• Fortunately the pair were off to different events when they stepped out in the identical £420 jackets.• He stepped out of cover and walked up to her.• She stepped over to the third sink and started to scrub up.• By stepping up a grade, the bond will be more valuable in the market.• And it left open the fourth option, to step up military action against Hanoi and otherwise escalate the war.step forward/back/down/into etc• It ridicules me - a trap of iron stupidity I've stepped into.• So that was one remarkable step forward.• Karen stepped back and looked at her husband.• It's one step forward and one back all the time with him.• Cally took two steps back, her glass nearly slipping through her fingers.• Today, Aragon looks fit enough to step back into the ring.• Some will say, Once you step into the other world, you can never come back.• Critics called it one step down the path toward legalization of drugs.step in/on etc• The door was locked behind them as soon as they stepped in.• So eventually it stepped in and moved to buy Unix System Laboratories Inc.• It was the first important step in breaking up the pack.• My new friend was the first step in questioning whether that was true.• Hong Kong represents another step on the path of reunification.• Not long after their return, he and Jo met with Jim to discuss the next step in the sister-parish relationship.• There are two steps in this argument.• He stepped on to the busy road and dragged badly injured Scott clear of the traffic.step- /step/ prefix  1 FAMILYused to show that someone is related to you not by birth but because a parent has married again 继的，后的〔无血缘关系，但因父母一方再婚而构成亲缘关系的〕 her stepdad 她的继父 the problems of stepfamilies 继亲家庭的种种问题

Examples from the Corpus

step-• her stepchildren• my stepfatherFrom Longman Business Dictionarystepstep1 /step/ noun [countable]1one of a series of things that you do to deal with a problem or to succeedThe changes are only the first step in a long-term plan.Japan took steps to boost confidence in its tumbling stock market.step towardsSweeping reforms were announced in a step towards a free-market economy.2a stage in a process or a position on a scalestep onEvery 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.3be 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-fashionedbe out of step withThe fast food chain has been out of step with consumers’ changing eating patterns in recent years.4be one step ahead (of somebody) to be better prepared or know more about somethingIn business, you need to be one step ahead of your competitors.stepstep2 verb (stepped, stepping) → step down → step forward → step in → step something → up→ See Verb tableOrigin step- Old English steop- step1 Old English stæpe

step1 noun →10-16
→COLLOCATIONS1step2 verb →PHRASAL VERBS1step- prefixLDOCE OnlineChinese  

Corpus you put when the you Business make movement

step

I

step¹ S2 W1 /step/ noun1.  MOVEMENT  [countable] the movement you make when you put one foot in front of or behind the other when walking:
    a video of baby’s first steps
    He took one step and fell.
    step back/forwards/towards etc
    Tom took a step back and held the door open.
    I had to retrace my steps (=go back the way I came) several times before I found the shop.
2.  ACTION  [countable] one of a series of things that you do in order to deal with a problem or to succeed
    step in (doing) something
    This is the first step in reforming the welfare system.
    step to do something
    The president took immediate steps to stop the fighting.
    step towards
    an important step towards peace
3.  IN A PROCESS  [countable] a stage in a process, or a position on a scale:
    Each book goes up one step in difficulty.
    Record your result, and go on to step 3.
    step in
    the next step in the process
    Drug companies influence the scientific process every step of the way (=during every stage).
    Describe step by step (=describing each stage) how you went about achieving your goal.
    Moving to Cottage Grove represented a definite step up (=something that is better than you had before) for my parents.
    He saw the job as a step down (=something that is worse than he had before).
4.
   STAIR .nbsp;[countable] a flat narrow piece of wood or stone, especially one in a series, that you put your foot on when you are going up or down, especially outside a building:
    Jenny sat on the step in front of the house, waiting.
    He climbed the wooden steps and rang the bell.
    a flight of (=set of) broad stone steps ⇨ doorstep¹(1)
5.  DISTANCE  [countable] the short distance you move when you take a step while walking
   SYN  pace:
    Roy was standing only a few steps away.
6.  SOUND  [countable] the sound you make when you put your foot down while walking
   SYN  footstep:
    I heard a step in the corridor.
7.  DANCING  [countable] a movement of your feet in dancing:
    the steps for the Charleston
8. in step
  a. having ideas or actions that are like those of other people
    in step with
    He isn’t in step with ordinary voters.
  b. moving your feet so that your right foot goes forward at the same time as people you are walking with
9. out of step
  a. having ideas or actions that are different from those of other people
    out of step with
    This type of training is out of step with changes in the industry.
  b. moving your feet in a different way from people you are walking with
10. watch your step (also mind your step British English)
  a. to be careful about what you say or how you behave:
    You’d better watch your step – he’s the boss here.
  b. to be careful when you are walking:
    Mind your step – the railing’s loose.
11. fall into step (with somebody)
  a. to start walking beside someone at the same speed as them:
    Maggie fell into step beside her.
  b. to start thinking or doing the same as other people:
    The administration has fallen into step with its European allies on this issue.
12. be/keep/stay one step ahead (of somebody)
  a. to be better prepared for something or know more about something than someone else:
    A good teacher is always at least one step ahead of his students.
  b. to manage not to be caught by someone who is trying to find or catch you
13.  WAY SOMEBODY WALKS  [countable usually singular] the way someone walks, which often tells you how they are feeling:
    Gianni’s usual bouncy step
14. steps [plural] British English a stepladder
15.  EXERCISE  [uncountable] a type of exercise you do by walking onto and off a flat piece of equipment around 15–30 centimetres high:
    a step class
16.  MUSIC  [countable] American English the difference in pitch between two musical notes that are separated by one key on the piano
   SYN  tone British English
     

COLLOCATIONS

(for Meaning 2)

■ 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.

II

step² S3 W3 verb (past tense and past participle stepped, present participle stepping) [intransitive always + adverb/preposition]
1. to raise one foot and put it down in front of or behind the other one in order to walk or move
    step forward/back/down/into etc
    He stepped back to let me through.
    I stepped outside and closed the door.
    Mr. Ives? Please step this way (=walk in the direction I am showing you).
2. to bring your foot down on something
   SYN  tread British English
    step in/on etc
    I accidentally stepped in a puddle.
    You’re stepping on my foot.
3. step on sb’s toes to offend or upset someone, especially by trying to do their work:
    I’m not worried about stepping on anybody’s toes.
4. step out of line to behave badly by breaking rules or disobeying orders
5. step on it (also step on the gas American English) spoken to drive faster
⇨ step into the breach at breach¹(7)
step down (also step aside) phrasal verb
  to leave your job or official position, because you want to or because you think you should:
    Morris should step aside until the investigation is completed.
    step down as
    Eve Johnson has stepped down as chairperson.
    step down from
    He was forced to step down from his post.
     
step forward phrasal verb
  to come and offer help, information etc:
    Police are appealing for witnesses to step forward.
step in phrasal verb
  to become involved in an activity, discussion, or disagreement, sometimes in order to stop trouble
   SYN  intervene:
    The military may step in if the crisis continues.
    Parents have stepped in to provide homework help in the afternoon program.
step into something phrasal verb
  to start doing something, or become involved in a situation:
    Sally stepped into the role of team leader.
step out phrasal verb
  to leave your home or office for a short time
   SYN  pop out British English:
    She’s just stepped out for a few minutes.
step up phrasal verb
  1. step something ↔ up to increase the amount of an activity or the speed of a process in order to improve a situation:
    The health department is stepping up efforts to reduce teenage smoking.
    stepped-up security at airports
  2. (also step up to the plate) especially American English to agree to help someone or to be responsible for doing something:
    Residents will have to step up if they want to rid this area of crime.