takes a step back

A form of take a step back — 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

verb
  1. indicativepresentsingularthird personthird-person singular simple present indicative of take a step back
Cite this entry
APA

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

MLA

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

Chicago

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

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