take a step back

verb

To withdraw temporarily from a situation in order to evaluate it; to cease one's course of action and take a moment to reflect on it; to try and gain some perspective.

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Meanings

verbtake a step back (third-person singular simple present takes a step back, present participle taking a step back, simple past took a step back, past participle taken a step back)

present singular third person takes a step back · participle present taking a step back · past took a step back · participle past taken a step back

  1. figurativelyTo withdraw temporarily from a situation in order to evaluate it; to cease one's course of action and take a moment to reflect on it; to try and gain some perspective.

    By establishing GBR, the Department for Transport intends to "take a step back" from the day-to-day running of the railways, which will be music to the ears of many.

    2025 March 5, Richard Wilcock, “DfT sets out its plans with rail reform consultation”, in RAIL, number 1030, page 28

Translations

Finnish ottaa askel kauemmaksi, ottaa askel kauemmas
  • ottaa askel kauemmaksiTranslations
  • ottaa askel kauemmasTranslations
French prendre du recul, prendre de la distance
  • prendre du reculTranslations
  • prendre de la distanceTranslations
  • prendre de la hauteurTranslations
Polish robić krok w tył, zrobić krok w tył
  • robić krok w tyłTranslations
  • zrobić krok w tyłTranslations
Spanish dar un paso atrás
  • dar un paso atrásTranslations
Cite this entry
APA

take a step back. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/take%20a%20step%20back

MLA

“take a step back.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/take%20a%20step%20back. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “take a step back,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/take%20a%20step%20back.

Source: take a step back on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.