take steps



take steps (to prevent something)

Fig. to do what is necessary to prevent something. I took steps to prevent John from learning what we were talking about. I have to keep John from knowing what I've been doing. I can prevent it if I take steps.
See also: step, take

take steps

Begin a course of action, as in The town is taking steps to provide better street lights, or They took steps to keep their plans secret. [Early 1600s]
See also: step, take

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
DaveDAYVEnglish
Vlastimil-Czech
TuckerTUK-ərEnglish (Modern)
Tatianatah-TYAH-nah (Russian, Polish, Spanish, Italian), TAH-tee-ah-nah (Finnish), ta-tee-AN-ə (English), ta-TYAN-ə (English)Russian, Slovak, Bulgarian, Romanian, Polish, Greek, Georgian, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Finnish
Berat-Turkish
Tibor-Hungarian, Czech, Slovak