step back: meaning & examples

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Language: English

Meanings:

  • 1.

    Generalneutral
    • To move one or more steps in a backward direction; to physically withdraw from a position.

    Examples

    Beta

    • Please step back a few paces so I can get a better angle for the photo.

      Please move backward a few steps so I can take the photo from a better position.

    • He stepped back carefully to avoid tripping over the uneven floorboards.

      He moved backward cautiously to prevent falling on the uneven floor.

    • During the fire drill, everyone stepped back from the building as instructed.

      During the fire exercise, everyone moved away from the building as told.

    • When the dog barked loudly, the children stepped back in surprise.

      When the dog barked, the children moved backward because they were startled.

  • 2.

    Generalneutral
    • To create distance or space from others or from a situation, often to allow room for action or to avoid interference.

    Examples

    Beta

    • The teacher asked the students to step back to give the speaker plenty of space.

      The teacher requested the students to create distance so the speaker would have enough room.

    • To avoid interfering with the ceremony, the guests stepped back quietly to the sidelines.

      To not disturb the event, the guests moved away silently to the edges.

    • She stepped back from the sculpture to admire it fully without obstructing anyone's view.

      She created space between herself and the sculpture to look at it completely without blocking others.

    • When the emergency responders arrived, the crowd stepped back to allow them to work.

      Upon arrival of the emergency team, the people moved away to let them perform their duties.

  • 3.

    Generalneutralformal
    • To withdraw from active involvement or responsibility, either temporarily or permanently, in order to reassess, delegate, or relinquish a role.
    • To detach oneself emotionally or psychologically from a situation to gain perspective.

    Examples

    Beta

    • After years of running the business, Anna decided to step back and let her brother take over.

      After managing the business for years, Anna withdrew from active responsibility and allowed her brother to lead.

    • Sometimes it's wise to step back emotionally from a heated argument to gain perspective.

      Occasionally, detaching oneself psychologically from a conflict helps to see the situation more clearly.

    • He plans to step back from his role as chairman next year to focus on his health.

      He intends to resign or reduce his active involvement as chairman to concentrate on his well-being.

Examples:

  • EN: Please a step back!
    ES: ¡Déjame ver las piernas, por favor!
  • EN: Then they step back and leave you there alone about 10 seconds, which seems like 10 years to you.
    ES: Luego retroceden y te dejan solo durante unos 10 segundos que a ti te parecen 10 años.
  • EN: I wonder if Oscar and Minnie will know me when I step back into the cage.
    ES: Me pregunto si Oscar y Minnie me reconocerán cuando vuelva a la jaula.
  • EN: All right, folks, step back, please, and give them plenty of room.
    ES: Bien, apártense y déjenles sitio.
  • EN: Come on, step back.
    ES: Vamos, atrás.
  • EN: "Behind them yet, eh?" Please, step back!
    ES: - Detrás de ellas todavía, ¿eh? - ¡Por favor, retroceda!
  • EN: Please step back a bit.
    ES: Por favor, retroceda un poco.
  • EN: Ladies and gentlemen, please step back.
    ES: Señoras y señores, les ruego retrocedan un poco.
  • EN: Come on, step back, folks.
    ES: Vamos, abran paso.
  • EN: Come on, step back, please. - Open it up.
    ES: Vamos, retrocedan, por favor.
  • EN: Vladimir Ilyich, step back from the window.
    ES: Vladimir Ilich, aléjese de esa ventanilla.
  • EN: - So step back from the window. - All right.
    ES: - Ahora si aléjese de la ventanilla.
  • EN: One step back, march.
    ES: Un paso atrás.
  • EN: Just throw that door open when I say the word and then step back.
    ES: ¿Todos listos? Abra la puerta. Y cuando yo diga, al suelo.
  • EN: - You don't have to tell me to step back.
    ES: - No necesita decirlo...
  • EN: Please a step back!
    ES: ¡Déjame ver las piernas, por favor!
  • EN: Then they step back and leave you there alone about 10 seconds, which seems like 10 years to you.
    ES: Luego retroceden y te dejan solo durante unos 10 segundos que a ti te parecen 10 años.
  • EN: All right, folks, step back, please, and give them plenty of room.
    ES: Bien, apártense y déjenles sitio.
  • EN: I wonder if Oscar and Minnie will know me when I step back into the cage.
    ES: Me pregunto si Oscar y Minnie me reconocerán cuando vuelva a la jaula.
  • EN: Come on, step back.
    ES: Vamos, atrás.
  • EN: "Behind them yet, eh?" Please, step back!
    ES: - Detrás de ellas todavía, ¿eh? - ¡Por favor, retroceda!
  • EN: Please step back a bit.
    ES: Por favor, retroceda un poco.
  • EN: Ladies and gentlemen, please step back.
    ES: Señoras y señores, les ruego retrocedan un poco.
  • EN: Come on, step back, folks.
    ES: Vamos, abran paso.
  • EN: Come on, step back, please. - Open it up.
    ES: Vamos, retrocedan, por favor.
  • EN: Vladimir Ilyich, step back from the window.
    ES: Vladimir Ilich, aléjese de esa ventanilla.
  • EN: - So step back from the window. - All right.
    ES: - Ahora si aléjese de la ventanilla.
  • EN: One step back, march.
    ES: Un paso atrás.
  • EN: Just throw that door open when I say the word and then step back.
    ES: ¿Todos listos? Abra la puerta. Y cuando yo diga, al suelo.
  • EN: - You don't have to tell me to step back.
    ES: - No necesita decirlo...

Related Idioms

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Sourced from Wiktionary

Source: Wiktionary

step back: Meaning, Examples & Usage (English) | Idiomator