step back

step back
intransitive verb
1. : to yield ground by moving to the rear

ordered the spectators to step back

2. : recede

end chimneys which step back unattached above the second story — American Guide Series: North Carolina

: to construct (as a building) in an ascending series of steps or stages of diminishing width : build so that successive stories or groups of stories recede farther and farther from the front, side, or back

an octagonal tower … rising sheer to 13 stories and then stepped back three times to a height of 327 feet — American Guide Series: New York

* * *

ˌstep ˈback [intransitive] [present tense I/you/we/they step back he/she/it steps back present participle stepping back past tense stepped back past participle stepped back] phrasal verb
to stop for a moment in order to consider something

Let’s step back and have another look at this.

Thesaurus: to think carefully or a lot about thingssynonym
Main entry: step

* * *

mentally withdraw from a situation in order to consider it objectively

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step back [phrasal verb]
: to stop doing something or being actively involved in something for a time so that you can think about it and make decisions in a calm and reasonable way

You need to step back and give yourself some time to work through this.

• • •
Main Entry: ↑step

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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  • Step Back In Time — «Step Back in Time» Sencillo de Kylie Minogue del álbum Rhythm Of Love Lado B Step Back in Time (Instrumental) Formato CD Single Single vinilo Cassette Grabación 1989 …   Wikipedia Español

  • step back (from something) — ˌstep ˈback (from sth) derived to think about a situation calmly, as if you are not involved in it yourself • We are learning to step back from ourselves and identify our strengths and weaknesses. Main entry: ↑stepderived …   Useful english dictionary

  • Step Back in Time — Infobox Single Name = Step Back in Time Artist = Kylie Minogue from Album = Rhythm of Love Released = October 1990: Worldwide Format = CD single: Worldwide Vinyl single: Worldwide Cassette single: United Kingdom Recorded = London, England Genre …   Wikipedia

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