1. C 脚步，步　 an act of moving by raising one foot and bringing it down somewhere else
2. C 一步的距离，短距离　 the distance covered in one step, a short distance
3. C 楼梯，台阶　 a flat narrow surface, especially one in a set of surfaces each higher than the one before, on which the foot is placed for climbing up and down; stair
4. C 级别，等级；阶段　 a degree on a scale, or a stage in a process
5. C 步骤，措施　 an act, especially one of a set of actions, which should produce a certain result

　ascend the ～s　登上台阶
　break ～s　走乱步伐，打乱步伐
　bring into ～　使步调一致，使同时发生
　change ～s　换步
　direct one's ～s toward　向…走去
　get one's ～　获得提升
　get out of ～　走乱步伐
　give sb a ～　给某人晋级
　hear a ～　听到脚步声
　keep (in) ～ with　与…保持步调一致
　keep ～s with the times　跟上时代，与时俱进
　know sb's ～　听出某人的脚步声
　make a ～ forward　前进一步
　make a false ～　走错一步，失算，失误
　perform a ～　实施措施
　recognize sb's ～　听出某人的脚步声
　take a ～　采取步骤
　take a ～ forward　前进一步
　take a false ～　走错一步，失策
　take a wrong ～　失足，失策
　walk with a fast ～　快步走
　watch one's ～　走路小心
　appropriate ～　适当的措施〔手段〕
　careful ～　慎重的步骤
　effective ～　有效的措施
　even ～　平稳的步伐
　false ～　失足，失算，失策，绊倒
　fast ～　快步走
　firm and steady ～　稳健的步子
　forward ～　前进的一步
　giant ～　巨人般的步伐
　half ～　〈军〉小步，快步，〈音〉半音
　heavy ～　沉重的脚步
　important ～　重要步骤〔措施〕
　necessary ～　必要步骤〔措施〕
　next ～　下一步
　quick ～　快步走
　rapid ～　快步走
　the first ～　第一步
　danger ～　危险的步骤
　route ～　〈军〉便步
　at quick ～　快步走
　～ by ～　逐步，按部就班（地）
　in ～ (with) 　（与…)步伐一致，（与…)节奏一致〔相符合〕
　in sharp ～s　以轻快的步伐
　ladder of ten ～s　十级的梯子
　out of ～ (with)　（与…)步调不一致
　out of ～ with everyone else　跟别人的步子都不一致
　with slow ～s　慢步（走）
　～ from　离…有…步之遥
　～s from the station　离车站有…步路
　～s to success　成功之路

　I won't venture a step farther.　我不敢再往前走一步。
　He received his prize with a proud step.　他迈着骄矜的步子走去领奖。
　With every step I took the load seemed to get heavier.　我每走一步都觉得负荷愈来愈重。
　Take two steps forward and two steps back.　向前跨两步，再向后退两步。
　There were children's steps in the cement.　水泥上有孩子们的脚印。
　The dance has some complicated steps.　这种舞有一些复杂的步法。
　Bill darted out of bed as his father's step was heard on the stairs.　听见父亲在楼上的脚步声，比尔一骨碌从床上爬了起来。
　It's only a step to the station.　这里到车站只有几步路。
　The water was deeper at every step.　每隔一步水就更深。
　The park is only a short step away from our house.　公园离我们家不远。
　There is but one step between the ludicrous and the sublime.　可笑与崇高只有一步之差。
　The hospital is only twenty steps away.　医院离此只有20步之遥。
　He lives a good step down the road.　他住在路那头相当远的地方。
　A flight of steps leads up to the house.　一段台阶通向房前。
　The ladder has a number of steps.　这梯子有很多级。
　May I borrow your steps?　我可以借一下你的梯子吗?
　His present job is a step up from his previous one.　他现在的工作比原来的升了一级。
　When do you get your next step?　你什么时候晋级?
　A colonel is three steps above a captain.　上校比上尉高三级。
　A step in temperature on the Fahrenheit scale is smaller than a step on the Centigrade scale.　华氏温度计的一度比摄氏温度计的一度小一些。
　It is time to take a positive step to break the vicious circle.　现在是采取积极步骤来打击这个犯罪团伙的时候了。
　He will not warrant such a step.　他不会批准这种行动。
　What's the next step in your plan?　你计划下一步怎么办?
　The first step will be to get a job in some office.　第一步是在某处找个工作。
　We can miss the next few steps if you like.　如果你愿意，我们可以省去下面几个步骤。
　Take such steps as you think best.　按你认为最好的办法干吧。
　A touch of colour came into her cheeks and her step became more firm and confident.　她的两颊泛出点红晕，她的步伐更加坚定而自信了。

 ♣ a false step
1. 失足 a wrong move
　He took a false step and fell down the river.　他踩空了脚掉到河里去了。
2. 错误，失策 a wrong action
　A false step can cost us millions of dollars.　一步失策会使我们损失几百万美元。
 ♣ a pair of steps
　折梯　step-ladder
　A pretty portable pair of steps in one corner of the room showed that those even on the higher shelves were intended for use.　屋角放着一架小巧玲珑的折梯，说明架子上层的书也是准备随时取用的。
 ♣ a step forward
　前进一步　a forward move
　〔说明〕 forward也可前置，但不如后置常见。
　This is a notable step forward.　这是一个显著的进步。
　It marks a forward step in human progress.　这标志着人类发展的一次进步。
 ♣ break step
　〔说明〕 break step中的step要用单数。
1. 便步走，不以一致步伐行走 stop marching together in step
　The marching units were allowed to break step when they had passed the reviewing stand.　游行队伍通过检阅台后就允许便步走了。
2. 与…不一致，与…不协调 not in accordance or agreement with others
　He broke step with his party and supported a rival candidate.　他和他那个党的意见不一致，转而支持对方的候选人。
　Three committee chairmen broke step with president.　三个委员会主席和总统意见不一致。
 ♣ dog sb's steps
　跟踪某人　follow sb
　The police dogged his steps for a whole month.　警察跟踪他整整一个月了。
　I am certain that ill luck dogs my steps, that's the fourth fountain pen I've lost in six months.　肯定是霉运缠着我了，这是我六个月来丢失的第四支钢笔。
 ♣ fall into step
　调整步伐使之与…一致，开始接受或遵循　take action to make sth move at the same time, begin to accept and follow sth
　The three of them fell into step.　他们三人步伐一致。
　We are likely to fall into step with them.　我们可能接受他们的意见。
 ♣ follow (in) sb's steps
　步某人的后尘　follow a similar occupation
　Following in his steps, I passed through damp spruce woods to an open cliff.　我跟在他的后面，穿过一片潮湿的云杉树林，来到一片开阔的峭壁前。
　My daughter has followed in my steps and become a teacher.　我的女儿走了我的路，成为一名教师。
 ♣ guide sb's step(s)
　引导〔指导〕某人行走　direct sb to walking
　It was she who guided my every step in the working-class movement.　是她在工人运动中指导我的每一步行动。
 ♣ in step
　步调一致　(of a person or behaviour) marching in such a way that each person's right foot and left foot move forward at the same time
　John is in step with the others.　约翰跟得上其他人。
　They were moving in step with music.　他们随着音乐的节拍走。
　The decision has been accepted by everyone, so now we are all in step.　这个决定已被大家接受，所以我们现在步调一致。
 ♣ in steps
　逐步地　gradually
　Progress toward democracy has to be made in steps, rather than a sudden leap.　必须逐步地实行民主化，不可操之过急。
 ♣ keep step with
　跟上　follow up with
　〔说明〕 step前不加定冠词the.
　Your legs are longer than mine, I can't keep step with you.　你的腿比我长，我跟不上你。
 ♣ out of step
　不协调，跟不上；不合拍　(of a person or behaviour) marching in such a way that each person's right foot and left foot move forward at different time as other people's
　Tom is out of step with the times.　汤姆跟不上时代的步伐。
　It doesn't mean you are out of step with other students of your age just because you don't smoke.　你不抽烟，这并不算你跟不上别的同龄学生。
　John always marches out of step with the music.　约翰走起路来老是不合音乐的节拍。
 ♣ step by step
　一步步地，逐步地，逐渐地　gradually
　A foreign language cannot be learned rapidly, it must be learned step by step.　外语并非在短时间内就能学会，学外语是一个循序渐进的过程。
　He learnt the rules of the game step by step.　他逐步学会了游戏的规则。
 ♣ take steps
　采取措施　take action
　〔说明〕 step在这里习惯用复数形式。
　We must take immediate steps to cope with the situation.　我们必须立即采取措施来应付这一局面。
 ♣ watch one's step
　小心行事，当心　act with great care
　Watch your step when you ride down that steep hill on the bicycle.　骑自行车下那个斜坡时，当心点。
　Watch your step, the boss is in a particularly bad mood.　你要小心点，老板今天情绪特别不好。

 ♣ in step, in steps
　这两个短语的区别是：in step中的step是单数形式，表示用同一步调行走，常译成“步调一致”; in steps中的step是复数形式，表示一步一步地行走或行动，常译成“逐渐地”。
 ♣ step, pace
　这两个名词均可表示“步”。其区别是：step指脚步提起来放下去，强调动作，有轻重、长短和优美与否之分；而pace指身体向前移动强调距离，有快慢和从容与否之分。例如：
　He was so tired that he was unable to take another step.　他累得一步也走不动了。
　A little boy's pace is smaller than a man's pace.　小孩的一步比大人的一步小。
 ♣ step, stair
　这两个词都可表示“台阶”。其区别是：step通常指室外的台阶， stair通常指室内的台阶。例如：
　He went up the door steps.　他上了大门的台阶。
　He hurried down the stair.　他匆匆忙忙下楼梯。

1. 我们必须采取措施减少空气污染。
　［误］ We must take steps reducing pollution of the air.
　［正］ We must take steps to reduce pollution of the air.
　［析］ take steps后跟动词不定式，不跟动名词形式。
2. 走路小心，这儿很滑。
　［误］ Take care of your steps. It's slippery here.
　［正］ Watch your step. It's slippery here.
　［析］ 当表示“走路小心”“小心行事”时，用watch one's step，不可用 take care of one's steps.

　vi. & vt.举步；行走；跨步 move and then put down the foot

　～ awkwardly　不灵活地踩上
　～ boldly　无畏地走上
　～ discreetly　谨慎地踏上
　～ fearlessly　无畏地踏上
　～ noiselessly　悄悄地走上
　～ resolutely　坚定地走上
　～ softly　脚步轻轻
　～ across　访问
　～ aside　站到边上，从权威地位退下
　～ back　后退
　～ by　走过
　～ down　走下来，辞职，减少
　～ in　干预，涉足
　～ off　走开，步测
　～ out　出去，快步，步测
　～ outside　走到外面
　～ over　走近
　～ up　走上，走近，加快，提升
　～ across　跨过
　～ along　沿…走
　～ into　走进；插手，干涉
　～ off　走下
　～ on　赶快
　～ onto　走上
　～ to　走到

　He stepped backward and fell over the cliff.　他向后退了一步就从悬崖上掉下去了。
　When we passed his window, we stepped softly as usual.　我们从他窗前走过时，仍然像平时那样放轻了脚步。
　As soon as he stepped ashore, he found himself surrounded by friendly people.　他一上岸就被一些友好的人们围住。
　If you don't step lively, we shall miss the train.　你要是不快点，我们就赶不上火车了。
　Will you please step this way.　请这边走。

 ♣ step across¹　(v.+adv.)
　访问　pay a visit to a nearby person or place
　Step across and have tea with me tomorrow.　明天请过来喝杯茶。
 ♣ step across²　(v.+prep.)
　跨过　pass over without treading in or on
　I stepped across the stream and kept my feet dry.　我跨过了小溪，没有把脚沾湿。
 ♣ step aside　(v.+adv.)
1. 走到一边 go aside
　I stepped aside so that she might go in.　我往旁边走一步，以便她能进来。
2. 从权威地位退下 move from a position of authority
　There was mounting pressure in Congress to force him to step aside.　国会里迫使他离职的压力不断增加。
 ♣ step back　(v.+adv.)
　后退；退居不重要的部位　move into an insignificant position
　If you step back, you could fall down the cliff.　如果你再往后退，你就掉到悬崖下面去了。
　He doesn't want to step back from the centre of things.　他不想退居无足轻重的地位。
 ♣ step down　(v.+adv.)
　退休，辞职　retire or leave a top position
　In a couple of years that high school principal will step down, and her job will be taken by the vice-principal.　那位中学校长干不了几年就要离职，她的职务将由副校长接任。
 ♣ step forward　(v.+adv.)
1. 向前走 take a step so as to move forward from one's present position
　Just then, the crowd divided and three men stepped forward to hand the citizens' request to the king.　正在那时，人群分开了，三个人走出来把市民的要求转达给国王。
　I step forward to receive my prize.　我走向前去领奖。
2. 站出来 offer oneself, as to help
　〔说明〕 step forward作此解时常不用于进行体。
　The police have asked for witnesses of the accident to step forward to help with enquiries.　警察让事件的目击者站出来，为调查者提供帮助。
 ♣ step in¹　(v.+adv.)
　干涉，介入　become involved in; enter into
　〔说明〕 step in常不用于进行体。
　The police are reluctant to step in.　警察不愿插手干预。
　If the local communities do not meet their responsibilities, the federal and state governments will step in.　如果当地各社区不履行各自的职责，那么联邦政府和州政府就要进行干预。
　The government may step in and try to settle the dispute.　政府可能要插手进来设法处理这场争端。
　Can you step in for me at the meeting?　你能在会上替我一会儿吗?
 ♣ step in²　(v.+prep.)
　进入；涉足　take a step into sth
　〔说明〕 step in常不用于进行体。
　We had to step in mud over our ankles.　我们必须进入没脚的泥塘。
 ♣ step inside　(v.+adv.)
　进入　enter
　If you care to step inside for a minute, we can sign the contract straight away.　如果你想到我办公室坐一会，我们就能直接把合同签了。
 ♣ step into　(v.+prep.)
　干预，涉足　enter into; take a step into sth
　That would give the United States an excuse to step into their internal affairs.　那会给美国一个借口去干预他们的内政。
　His assistant stepped into the breach when the old surgeon was unable to go on with the operation.　当那老外科医生不能继续做手术时，他的助手接替他将手术进行了下去。
　After graduation John stepped into his father's shoes to become a lawyer.　约翰毕业后，便继承了他父亲的衣钵，当了一名律师。
 ♣ step off¹　(v.+adv.)
1. 离开 leave sth such as a high level or vehicle, by moving the feet
　Be careful how you step off, it's a long way from the ground.　当心你怎么离开，那离地面太高。
2. 步测（长度） mark or measure a length by walking
　Step off twenty feet and then place a marker in the ground.　先步测20英尺，再在地上做个标记。
3. 开始行军；起跑 start marching
　The men stepped off in good spirits.　战士们精神饱满地出发了。
 ♣ step off²　(v.+prep.)
　从…走下来　leave by moving the feet
　As the hero stepped off the platform, he was surrounded by several children with bouquets.　当英雄走下讲台时，已被几名手持花束的儿童围住了。
 ♣ step on〔upon〕　(v.+prep.)
1. 在…顶部走 move with the feet on top of sth
　Mind where you put your feet, you could step on some broken glass.　注意脚底下，你可能会踩在碎玻璃上。
　He's the first man to step foot on the moon.　他是第一个踏上月球的人。
2. 伤害某人的感情 hurt sb's feelings
　It's difficult to avoid stepping on her sensitive feelings.　很难不伤害她脆弱的情感。
　If you are going round stepping on people's toes like that you can't expect to have many friends.　如果你那样到处得罪人，那就别想交到朋友。
3. 斥责（某人） scold sb
　I shall step on her very firmly if she interrupts me again.　如果她再来打扰我，我要毫不客气地斥责她。
 ♣ step out　(v.+adv.)
1. 赶紧；快走 walk fast
　〔说明〕 step out作此解时常不用于进行体。
　She steps out so actively that I have difficulty keeping up with her.　她蹦蹦跳跳走得太快了，我很难跟上她。
　When I go for a walk in cold weather, I like to step out to keep warm.　当我在寒冷的天气出去散步时，为了保暖我必须走得很快。
2. 暂时离开一下 walk outside, especially for a short time
　He stepped out into the garden.　他走出后进了花园。
　I'm stepping out a while to go for a walk.　我出去散一会儿步。
3. 〈非正〉出去娱乐；过活跃的社交生活 have fun; enjoy one's life
　She's really stepping out these days, isn't she?　这些日子她过得非常开心，难道不是吗?
　I hear she's been stepping out almost every weekend.　我听说她每周末都出入于社交场合。
4. 步测 measure a distance by walking
　Step out ten feet and then put a marker in the ground.　步测十英尺，然后在地上做个标记。
 ♣ step out on　(v.+adv.+prep.)
　对（某人）不忠　be unfaithful to sb
　No one told him that she had been stepping out on him for over a year.　没有人告诉他她已经背叛他一年多了。
 ♣ step outside　(v.+adv.)
1. 到户外活动 walk out of door, especially for a short time
　He's just stepped outside for a breath of fresh air.　他刚刚到户外呼吸呼吸新鲜空气。
2. 为解决…而争斗 have a fight, as to settle an argument
　If you care to step outside, we can settle this.　如果你愿意出去比试比试，我们一会儿就能把问题解决了。
 ♣ step over¹　(v.+adv.)
　走近（某地）；接近（某人）　move to a place nearer to sb
　Would you like to step over to my office?
　I have a suggestion that may be to your advantage.　你能到我办公室来一下吗?我有一个建议也许对你有好处。
 ♣ step over²　(v.+prep.)
　抬高腿走过…　lift the feet so as to pass above sb/sth
　We had to step over piles of broken bricks when we went to see our new house being built.　当我们去看正在建造的新房时，我们必须小心地走过一堆堆碎砖头。
 ♣ step up¹　(v.+adv.)
1. 走上 go from a lower to a higher place
　Ask him to step up.　叫他上来。
　He stepped up to me to ask his way to the station.　他走近我问到车站去的路。
2. （使）增加，（使）加快速度 (cause to) increase or move faster
　The girl stepped up to school.　女孩子加快步伐去上学。
　He has stepped up into the management of the firm.　他升入公司的管理层。
　When John found he was going to be late, he stepped up his pace.　约翰发现要迟到了，就加大步伐。
　The bus driver stepped the engine up.　公共汽车司机使发动机加速运转。
　Radio and television have stepped up the tempo of the news.　收音机和电视加快了新闻的传播速度。
　The factory has stepped up production.　工厂逐步增加了生产。
　Production is slowing down. We must step it up.　生产缓慢下来了，我们必须加快生产。
　We must step up our vigilance.　我们一定要提高警惕。
　The tempo has been stepped up.　速度一点点增加起来了。
 ♣ step up²　(v.+prep.)
　走上　go from a lower to a higher place
　The teacher called Dabao to step up the platform. Then the boy began to retell a story in English.　老师叫大宝走上讲台。然后他开始用英语复述一个故事。

 ♣ step, go, walk
　这三个词都可表示“走路”，有时可以替换，如：Step〔Walk, Go〕 in, please.请进。其区别是：step着重举步、迈步；go表示从一处向另一处运动，指走路，也可指乘车，可用于人或其他动物；walk着重用双脚有规律地走路，亦快亦慢，只用于人。例如：
　He stepped back and gave me another look.　他后退一步，又看了我一眼。
　I must go.　我得走了。
　She walked with light steps.　她走起来步态轻盈。
 ♣ step this way, come this way
　这两个短语均为引导客人的用语，意思是“请这边走”，前者比后者客气一些。

　［同义词］ n. pace, stride, action, measure, move, stage v. come, go, move, walk
　［词源］　古英语stæpe<高地德语stapfo （步，台阶，步骤）