Collocations for "step"
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word "step" in context.
WordReference English Collocations © 2025
step
ⓘMost examples are given in US English. We have labeled exceptions as UK.n
- the [next, following, first, second, final, last] step
- up the [garden, porch] steps
- there were [30] steps up to the [house, door]
- [large, short, long, heavy, confident, even] steps
- [five, 30, 40] steps (to the door)
- heard [animal, clear, loud, audible] steps
- heard steps [outside, in the hallway]
- take the first step to [recovering, gaining, getting, feeling]
- is the first step to [recovery]
- took his first steps (today)
- is the first step (towards)
- take it step by step
- [admitting, realizing] it is the first step
- had to [retrace, go back on] our steps
- [seven, 12] steps to [happiness, success, losing weight]
- a series of steps to [make, finish, do]
- a [few, couple] more steps
- a few steps [further, nearer, closer]
- a [few] steps to the [right, left, center]
- it's just a few steps to your [right, left]
- a [huge, giant, significant] step [up, down]
- a step-by-step [process, guide, demonstration, instructions]
- a step ladder
- a 12-step program
- step on [his foot, its tail, gum]
- step into the [building, room]
- step through the [door, passage]
- step into the [dark, night, rain, snow, fog]
- step forward (and take responsibility)
- step over the [railing, puddle, gap]
- (just) stepped out of the [office, building, house]
- step back and [think, consider, decide]
- step up to the [challenge, plate]
- step down from [office, the presidency]
- [The UN, negotiators] stepped in
- stepped up [the pace, efforts]
'step' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
UN
- aside
- back
- backward
- bold
- bound
- clutch
- cockroach
- courageous
- crucial
- dash
- decisive
- document
- edge
- facilitate
- father
- final
- first
- forward
- fresh
- gas
- giant
- groundbreaking
- ladder
- landmark
- madam
- mechanical
- mindful
- mom
- mother
- necessary
- next
- outdoor
- outside
- pants
- plan
- proceed
- provisional
- prudent
- rain
- ready
- repeat
- scale
- skip
- spring
- stool
- swagger
- warmth
- watch
- yacht