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Glite Dictionary
one step at a time

one step at a time

37 2.8
To do a task slowly, handling each part before the next
  • 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.

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Examples

Synonyms

one at a time
vsone step at a time
381 1.9

Handle each person or thing in turn, not all at once

applies this sequential idea to stages of a single task
one by one
vsone step at a time
186 1.4

Things happen one after another, not at the same time

focuses on sequential handling of parts rather than simultaneous effort
step by step
vsone step at a time
65 1.8

In a gradual way, doing each part one after another

encourages managing work slowly by focusing on one part at a time
step-by-step
vsone step at a time
33 2.8

Done in separate parts, each finished before the next

is advice to approach a goal by handling each stage in turn
bit by bit
vsone step at a time
  • Informal
20 2.7

A little at a time

frames the same idea as deliberate stage-by-stage progress
in stages
vsone step at a time
15 3.5

You do things gradually, finishing one part before the next

is used to advise tackling a task by progressing through parts
inch by inch
vsone step at a time
10 3.7

Move forward slowly in very small steps

suggests a methodical pace focusing on each small stage
stepwise
vsone step at a time
2 6.0

Happens in small steps rather than all at once

is the everyday counsel to move forward step by step
bit-by-bit
vsone step at a time
1 3.5

Happens slowly, a little at a time

is advice to tackle tasks through successive small actions
eat an elephant one bite at a time
vsone step at a time
  • Informal
1 7.5

To finish a very large task by doing small easy steps

gives the same gradual strategy but in plain, nonfigurative advice
in small stages
vsone step at a time
3.9

You do a little at a time instead of trying everything at once

advises breaking a task into parts and handling them gradually

Antonyms

all at once
149 2.1

Happening at the same time

rush
21 4.1

Done quickly under pressure with less care than usual

How Gradual

one step at a time
37 2.8
in stages
15 3.5
all at once
149 2.1

Surface Forms

one step at a time positive

Morphology

one + step + at + a + time

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'.