Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

take a step back

Word Rarity Common

Frequency: Zipf frequency 5.02 in modern English

Syllables: take a step back
IPA

27

Scrabble Score

13

Letters

1

Syllables

8

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To withdraw temporarily from a situation in order to evaluate it; to cease one's course of action and take a moment to reflect on it; to try and gain some perspective.

Example Sentences

"By establishing GBR, the Department for Transport intends to "take a step back" from the day-to-day running of the railways, which will be music to the ears of many."

Inflected Forms

takes a step back (present, singular) taking a step back (participle, present) took a step back (past) taken a step back (participle, past)

Phrases

step back

Frequently Paired Words

step back

Questions

What does take a step back mean?: To withdraw temporarily from a situation in order to evaluate it; to cease one's course of action and take a moment to reflect on it; to try and gain some perspective.

How to pronounce take a step back

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “take a step back”.
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