step in

step  (stp)

n.

1.

a. The single complete movement of raising one foot and putting it down in another spot, as in walking.

b. A manner of walking; a particular gait.

c. A fixed rhythm or pace, as in marching: keep step.

d. The sound of a footstep.

e. A footprint: steps in the mud.

2.

a. The distance traversed by moving one foot ahead of the other.

b. A very short distance: just a step away.

c. steps Course; path: turned her steps toward home.

3. One of a series of rhythmical, patterned movements of the feet used in a dance: diagrammed the basic steps to the mambo.

4.

a. A rest for the foot in ascending or descending.

b. steps Stairs.

c. Something, such as a ledge or an offset, that resembles a step of a stairway.

5.

a. One of a series of actions, processes, or measures taken to achieve a goal.

b. A stage in a process: followed every step in the instructions.

6. A degree in progress or a grade or rank in a scale: a step up in the corporate hierarchy.

7. Music

a. The interval that separates two successive tones of a scale.

b. A degree of a scale.

8. Nautical The block in which the heel of a mast is fixed.

v. stepped, step·ping, steps

v.intr.

1. To put or press the foot: step on the brake.

2. To shift or move slightly by taking a step or two: step back.

3. To walk a short distance to a specified place or in a specified direction: step over to the corner.

4. To move with the feet in a particular manner: step lively.

5. To move into a new situation by or as if by taking a single step: stepping into a life of ease.

6. To treat someone with arrogant indifference: He is always stepping on other people.

v.tr.

1. To put or set (the foot) down: step foot on land.

2. To measure by pacing: step off ten yards.

3. To furnish with steps; make steps in: terraces that are stepped along the hillside.

4. Computer Science To cause (a computer) to execute a single instruction.

5. Nautical To place (a mast) in its step.

Phrasal Verbs:

step aside

To resign from a post, especially when being replaced.

step down

1. To resign from a high post.

2. To reduce, especially in stages: stepping down the electric power.

step in

1. To enter into an activity or a situation.

2. To intervene.

step out

1. To walk briskly.

2. To go outside for a short time.

3. Informal To go out for a special evening of entertainment.

4. To withdraw; quit.

step up

1. To increase, especially in stages: step up production.

2. To come forward: step up and be counted.

3. To improve one's performance or take on more responsibility, especially at a crucial time.

Idioms:

in step

1. Moving in rhythm.

2. In conformity with one's environment: in step with the times.

out of step

1. Not moving in rhythm: recruits marching out of step.

2. Not in conformity with one's environment: out of step with the times.

step by step

By degrees.

step on it Informal

To go faster; hurry.

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[Middle English, from Old English stæpe, stepe.]

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step in

Verb

Informal to intervene (in a quarrel or difficult situation)

Thesaurus

Verb	1.	step in - get involved, so as to alter or hinder an action, or through force or threat of force; "Why did the U.S. not intervene earlier in WW II?" intervene, interfere, interpose interact - act together or towards others or with others; "He should interact more with his colleagues" meddle, tamper - intrude in other people's affairs or business; interfere unwantedly; "Don't meddle in my affairs!" interlope - encroach on the rights of others, as in trading without a proper license
	2.	step in - act as a substitute; "She stood in for the soprano who suffered from a cold" deputise, deputize, substitute cover - help out by taking someone's place and temporarily assuming his responsibilities; "She is covering for our secretary who is ill this week" supercede, supersede, supervene upon, supplant, replace - take the place or move into the position of; "Smith replaced Miller as CEO after Miller left"; "the computer has supplanted the slide rule"; "Mary replaced Susan as the team's captain and the highest-ranked player in the school"