step back
Speech parts
1. step back - Noun
2. step back - Verb
Meaning
Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see step, back.
(idiomatic) To stop what one is doing and evaluate the current situation.
Perhaps we should step back for a second and think about solving this problem a different way.
(idiomatic) To prevent oneself from becoming emotionally involved in a certain situation.
As a therapist sometimes you have to step back from your clients' lives.
(rail transport, of a driver at a terminal station) to depart driving the train following the train they arrived into the station driving, so as to decrease service turnaround time.
step back (plural steps back)
(idiomatic) A reversion to a former state or situation.
Synonyms
Examples
Growth is an erratic forward movement: two steps forward, one step back. Remember that and be very gentle with yourself.
Laughter gives us distance. It allows us to step back from an event, deal with it and then move on.
When an acquaintance goes by I often step back from my window, not so much to spare him the effort of acknowledging me as to spare myself the embarrassment of seeing that he has not done so.
One must step back to make the better leap.
If you want to perform a good jump, sometimes you need to start by taking a step back.
He who wants to do a good jump must sometimes take a step back.