Phrase guide

step back

noun · verb · 8 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • Canada, General-American, Received-Pronunciation: /stɛp ˈbæk/
  • Australian: /step ˈbæk/
  • Queensland Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • New-Zealand: /step ˈbɛk/

1

noun

Meaning 1

A setback, downgrade, or deterioration.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • Switching to more frequent meetings was a step back for that team, which had too many meetings already.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: leg up

2

noun

Meaning 2

A reversion to a former state or situation.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: deconversion, regression, restitution, restoration, reversion, step back

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see step, back.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

To stop what one is doing and evaluate the current situation.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • Perhaps we should step back for a second and think about solving this problem a different way.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

verb

Meaning 5

To prevent oneself from becoming emotionally involved in a certain situation.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • As a therapist sometimes you have to step back from your clients' lives.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

6

verb

Meaning 6

to depart driving the train following the train they arrived into the station driving, so as to decrease service turnaround time.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: rail-transport, railways, transport

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

7

verb

Meaning 7

To retreat from one's duties in a job; to reduce one's duties, often as a prelude to leaving a position; to take a back seat.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • He's stepping back from the role to let you start in it.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

8

verb

Meaning 8

To quietly abandon a belief.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • You need to step back from the threat you made.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

1 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Esperanto: retropaŝi — take a step opposite of the direction one is facing