Phrase guide

step on it

verb · 3 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

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To drive fast; to step on the accelerator.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: automotive, transport, vehicles

Examples

  • If I step on it, I can still arrive on time.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To act quickly.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • They'll have to step on it to finish the paper tonight.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

move fast

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • He rushed down the hall to receive his guests
  • The cars raced down the street

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: rush, hotfoot, hasten, hie, speed, race, pelt along, rush along, cannonball along, bucket along, belt along

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: travel, go, move, locomote

Narrower terms: barge, thrust ahead, push forward, tear, shoot, shoot down, charge, buck, dart, dash, scoot, scud, flash

History

Etymology

An automobile accelerator is usually a foot pedal, so stepping down harder increases the acceleration.

Across languages

Translations

17 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: painaa kaasua — to drive fast
  • French: mettre les gaz — to drive fast
  • French: appuyer sur le champignon — to drive fast
  • Greek: πατάω γκάζι (patáo gkázi) — to drive fast
  • Korean: 밟아 라 (balba ra) — to drive fast
  • Macedonian: нагазува (nagazuva) — to drive fast
  • Polish: dawać gazu — to drive fast
  • Polish: dać gazu — to drive fast
  • Portuguese: pisar fundo — to drive fast
  • Russian: жать на газ (žatʹ na gaz) — to drive fast
  • Russian: поднажа́ть (podnažátʹ) — to drive fast
  • Swedish: gasen i botten — to drive fast
  • Swedish: plattan i mattan — to drive fast
  • Finnish: panna töpinäksi — to act quickly
  • Polish: dawać gazu — to act quickly
  • Polish: dać gazu — to act quickly
  • Russian: поднажа́ть (podnažátʹ) — to act quickly