step back

ˈstɛp ˈbæk

stepped back, stepping back

Definition

Synonyms

Conjugation

Definition of step back - Reverso English Dictionary

Verbal expression

physical movementmove backwards a short distance

He had to step back to avoid the puddle..

move back

recede

reflective pausepause to consider or analyze a situation

She decided to step back and rethink her strategy..

pause

reflect

emotional detachmentavoid emotional involvement in a situation

He had to step back to stay objective.

disengage

withdraw

Noun

movementliteral backward movement

He took a step back to avoid the puddle.

reflective pausepause to reconsider or reflect on a situation

He took a step back to evaluate the consequences of his decision..

break

intermission

pause

progress reductiondecrease in position or progress

The project experienced a step back due to unforeseen challenges..

regression

setback

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Expressions with step back

💡 Discover popular phrases, idioms, collocations, or phrasal verbs. Click any expression to learn more, listen to its pronunciation, or save it to your favorites.

take a step back

move backward to create space

He had to take a step back to avoid the falling object.

step back in time

experience a past era through imagination or setting

Visiting the old castle felt like stepping back in time.

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.

Terms with step back 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.

walk in

fitness

step back to the rack during weightlifting

take a step backwards

physical movement

move one step back

Examples of step back in a sentence

He stepped back to avoid the swinging door.
He needed to step back to see the bigger picture.
Sometimes it's best to step back and take a deep breath.
She decided to step back from the argument to calm down.
Sometimes it's best to step back and reassess the situation.
At the cliff edge, she took a step back.

One step back gave the painter room to inspect the wall.
A step back can provide clarity in tough situations.
Taking a step back helped her see the bigger picture.
The team took a step back after losing their lead.
The company's financial troubles caused a significant step back.

View all translations of step back

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

French:reculer, pas en arrière, ...
German:zurücktreten, Schritt zurück, ...
Italian:retrocedere, passo indietro, ...
Spanish:retroceder, paso atrás, ...
Portuguese:recuar, passo atrás, ...
Chinese:后退, 后退一步, ...
Japanese:後退する, 後退, ...
Arabic:تَراجَعَ, خُطْوَة إلى الخَلْف, ...
Hebrew:לָזוּז אָחוֹרָה, צַעַד לְאָחוֹר, ...
Russian:отступить, шаг назад, ...
Ukrainian:відступити, крок назад, ...
Hindi:पीछे हटना, पश्चगमन, ...
Bengali:পিছিয়ে আসা, পিছিয়ে যাওয়া, ...
Catalan:fer un pas enrere, pas enrere, ...
Czech:ustoupit, krok zpět, ...
Danish:træde tilbage, et skridt tilbage, ...
Dutch:achteruit stappen, stap achteruit, ...
Greek:κάνω πίσω, βήμα προς τα πίσω, ...
Hungarian:hátralépni, hátralépés, ...
Khmer:ដើរថយក្រោយ, ជំហានថយក្រោយ, ...
Korean:뒤로 물러나다, 뒷걸음, ...
Persian:عقب رفتن, یک قدم به عقب, ...
Polish:cofnąć się, krok wstecz, ...
Portuguese (BR):recuar, passo para trás, ...
Romanian:a da înapoi, pas înapoi, ...
Swedish:backa, ett steg bakåt, ...
Thai:ก้าวถอยหลัง, การถอยหลังหนึ่งก้าว, ...
Turkish:geri adım atmak, geri adım, ...
Vietnamese:lùi lại, một bước lùi, ...

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