one step at a time
32
2.8
- idiom
:
paso a paso
- When learning a new skill, it's best to approach it one step at a time.
- take one step at a time
Surgeons are trained one step at a time.
- Surgeons are trained one step at a time.
- That's how you start to do it, one step at a time.
- And that's, I mean, I think one step at a time.
- We just need to make sure we take one step at a time.
- So we're teaching people just change breakfast, just start there one step at a time.
- Put the brakes on and pace yourself in the beginning and take it one step at a time When you get in these relationships.
- Just it's always a matter of moving forward, doing better, one step at a time, and that's it for today.
- You may want to stick to the old one and improve it one step at a time.
- The theme of my life has just been stop, go slow and figure things out one step at a time.
- But when I take it one step at a time, being cautious, that like, OK, Lord, what's next?
Examples
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I admire your optimism, Jem, we must take things one step at a time.
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So I take everything one step at a time and acknowledge that I am making progress.
Blog text (28) -
Okay, up we go, one step at a time.
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Take this one step at a time.
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Take it one step at a time and...
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Let me take this one step at a time.
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We just have to take it one step at a time.
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I suppose we'll have to take things one step at a time.
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Let's take it one step at a time.
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A great way to persevere is to focus on one step at a time.
Blog text (3)
Synonyms
186
1.4
Things happen one after another, not at the same time
107
1.9
Handle each person or thing in turn, not all at once
23
2.8
Done in separate parts, each finished before the next
23
1.8
In a gradual way, doing each part one after another
12
2.7
A little at a time
7
3.7
Move forward slowly in very small steps
5
3.5
You do things gradually, finishing one part before the next
2
6.0
Happens in small steps rather than all at once
You do a little at a time instead of trying everything at once
Happens slowly, a little at a time
To finish a very large task by doing small easy steps
Antonyms
How Gradual
Surface Forms
Morphology
Each word ('one', 'step', 'at', 'a', 'time') contributes directly to the composed meaning of proceeding gradually and handling each discrete action before moving on; the phrase is a straightforward sequential/compositional instruction. This pattern is cross-linguistically common (e.g. 'step by step', 'paso a paso'), so a B1 learner who knows the constituents will readily infer the intended sense.
Etymology
One step at a time gives a simple picture: imagine walking a long path, taking one step now and then the next, not trying to do everything at once. That's why it means 'to deal with a task slowly, one part at a time'.