backward step

ˈbækwərd stɛp

Definition

Definition of backward step - Reverso English Dictionary

Noun

progress setbackaction that makes a situation worse or less advanced

The new law is a backward step for education.

regression

setback

physical movement

Rare

movement of one foot behind the other

Rare

He took a backward step to avoid the puddle.

move back

step backward

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Images of backward step

movement of one foot behind the other

Expressions with backward

take a step backward

move one step in reverse direction

He took a step backward to avoid the puddle.

bend over backward

make a great effort to help or please someone

She will bend over backward to make her guests feel comfortable.

one step forward, two steps backward

exp.

making progress but facing more setbacks

Every time we solve a problem, another arises, it's one step forward, two steps backward.

backward and forward

adv.

moving in two opposite directions repeatedly

The pendulum swings backward and forward.

bend backward

move the upper body backward from the waist

She can bend backward easily during her yoga class.

fall backward

move or drop in reverse direction

He lost his balance and began to fall backward.

Expressions with step

step on

press down with the foot

He had to step on the pedal harder to stop the car..

baby step

very small progress or movement towards a goal

He took baby steps in learning to read.

in step

adv.

moving in perfect rhythm with others

The soldiers marched in step with the music.

step between

move into a space between two things

He stepped between the parked cars to cross the street.

step on someone's feet

press your foot down on another person's foot

Be careful not to step on your partner's feet while dancing.

watch one's step

move carefully to avoid obstacles

Watch your step on the icy sidewalk.

every step of the way

adv.

present at each stage of a journey

He was there every step of the way during the project.

keep in step

walk in rhythm with others

The soldiers keep in step during the parade.

out of step

adj.

not synchronized with others in movement

The dancer was out of step with the group.

step away from

move physically away from something or someone

She decided to step away from the edge.

Terms with backward step included in their meaning

💡 A powerful way to uncover related words, idioms, and expressions linked by the same idea — and explore meaning beyond exact word matches.

back-step

dance

step taken backward in dance or movement

back-step

movement

move one step backward with your foot

Examples of backward step in a sentence

Reintroducing old policies would be a backward step.
She made a quick backward step to dodge the ball.
A sudden backward step saved him from the falling box.

View all translations of backward step

✨Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.

French:recul, mouvement en arrière, ...
German:Rückschritt, Rückwärtsschritt, ...
Italian:passo indietro, ...
Spanish:retroceso, paso hacia atrás, ...
Portuguese:retrocesso, passo para trás, ...
Chinese:倒退的一步, 后退一步, ...
Japanese:後退, 一歩後ろに下がる動作, ...
Arabic:انتِكَاسَة, ...
Hebrew:צַעַד לְאָחוֹר, צַעַד לָאָחוֹר, ...
Russian:шаг назад, отступление, ...
Ukrainian:крок назад, відступ, ...
Hindi:पीछे हटने वाला कदम, पीछे की ओर कदम, ...
Bengali:পিছিয়ে যাওয়া, পিছনে পদক্ষেপ, ...
Catalan:pas enrere, pas cap a darrere, ...
Czech:krok zpět, krok vzad, ...
Danish:tilbageskridt, skridt bagud, ...
Dutch:stap terug, stap achteruit, ...
Greek:οπισθοδρόμηση, οπισθοχώρηση, ...
Hungarian:visszalépés, lépés hátra, ...
Khmer:ការថយក្រោយ, ជំហានថយក្រោយ, ...
Korean:퇴보, 뒷걸음질, ...
Persian:عقب‌گرد, قدم به عقب, ...
Polish:krok wstecz, krok do tyłu, ...
Portuguese (BR):retrocesso, recuo, ...
Romanian:pas înapoi, retragere, ...
Swedish:bakslag, bakåtrörelse, ...
Thai:ก้าวถอยหลัง, ...
Turkish:geri adım, geriye adım, ...
Vietnamese:bước thụt lùi, bước chân về sau, ...

Browse the dictionary entries starting with “b”:

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backward reference doctrine

backward-looking

backwardation

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Definition of backward step - Reverso English Dictionary

Noun

Images of backward step

Expressions with backward

Expressions with step

Terms related to backward step

Terms with backward step included in their meaning

Examples of backward step in a sentence

View all translations of backward step

Discover how Reverso redefines the dictionary

Go beyond “simple words”

Get more than a simple definition

Go from understanding to mastery