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Glite Dictionary
to step forward

to step forward

99 3.1
Volunteer to help or take responsibility
  • phrasal verb
: ofrecerse
  • By all criteria, the elections represented a giant step forward in Taiwan's democratization process.
  • step forward to provide
  • individuals step forward

The courage it takes for a survivor to step forward is monumental.

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Examples

  • Joe Biden, please step forward and be held accountable.

    Megyn Kelly

  • How hard was it for you to step forward and say this?

  • Number five, step forward and say the line.

    Candyman (1992)

  • Would the children step forward, please.

    The Intruder (1962)

  • Multiple witnesses fill the street, but no one steps forward to speak.

    Academic text (2015)

  • May you brim with all that is good as you step forward into your new journey.

  • The courage it takes for a survivor to step forward is monumental.

    DoctorRamani

  • Seen in its totality, the negotiation process was a great step forward for Guatemalan democracy.

    Academic text (2000)

  • Enacting H.R. 4743 would thus mark an important step forward for women, caregivers, and families.

    Academic text (2002)

  • The courage it takes for a survivor to step forward and share their story is monumental.

Synonyms

to come forward
vsto step forward
338 3.2

To offer help or information, often to the police

is more about making oneself noticed and accepting responsibility
to step up
vsto step forward
292 3.7

Take action and accept responsibility for a task or problem

is about offering help or volunteering rather than increasing involvement
to step in
vsto step forward
233 3.2

To get involved to help or take someone's place

focuses on offering help and volunteering proactively rather than reacting
to step up to the plate
vsto step forward
  • Informal
28 4.6

To take responsibility and act when a difficult situation happens

is used more broadly for offering help not only in hard situations
to take the initiative
vsto step forward
23 3.8

To be the first to act to make something happen

is similar but focuses on offering help rather than being the very first actor
to step into the breach
vsto step forward
  • Informal
2 7.3

To take responsibility and act when someone else cannot

covers general volunteering and offering help rather than emergency substitution
to step to the fore
vsto step forward
1 7.0

To offer to take charge of a group or task

is about offering help and responsibility rather than seeking prominence

Antonyms

to step back
93 3.6

Pause and think about a situation to understand it better

How Willing

to take charge
101 3.5
to step forward
99 3.1
to volunteer
500 2.0
to assist
497 1.0

Surface Forms

step forward infinitive
stepped forward past
stepped forward past participle
stepping forward present participle
steps forward third person singular

Morphology

step + forward

The literal meanings of 'step' (move) and 'forward' (toward the front) combine to give a clear image of moving ahead, and this motion-to-initiative metaphor (advancing oneself to volunteer or take responsibility) is a common, partially predictable extension. However, the social/figurative sense 'offer to help or take responsibility' is not purely compositional and may not be fully derivable by a B1 learner without prior exposure, so it is only partially transparent.

Etymology

The phrasal verb step forward comes from the simple image of a person taking a step toward the front so others can see them. That's why it now means 'to offer to help' or 'to take responsibility'.