1. Home
2. Idioms
3. step back

step back

---

---

step back (from someone or something)

to move away from someone or something; to move back so as to provide space around someone or something. Please step back from the injured woman. Give her some air. Step back and give her some air.

See also: back, step

step back

also take a step back

to pause in an activity, esp. to consider what to do next We need to step back and look at all our options.

See also: back, step

step back

v.

1. To move backward by taking one or more steps: I stepped back from the edge of the cliff. The police officer told the crowd to step back.

2. To withdraw from something, especially to consider it from a wider perspective: Let's step back from the project for a moment and admire all that we have accomplished. Rather than arguing about every detail, they should step back and determine what is really important.

See also: back, step