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Glite Dictionary
to step out

to step out

234 2.3
Leave a room or building briefly
  • phrasal verb
  • /stɛp aʊt/
translation icon : salir
  • Before the meeting started, I decided to step out for a quick breath of fresh air.

But that is somebody trying to step out and talk.

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Examples

  • I wish I had the confidence to step out and do it.

    Academic text (2011)

  • I'm going to get ready to step out of the house.

    Michelle Choi

  • The second you step out, you feel it.

  • Maybe step out of the car, Sir.

  • Oh, she had to step out for a minute.

    Working Girls (1987)

  • We must be willing to step out of the safety of what has worked in the past.

    Academic text (2007)

  • OK, so I want you to start stepping out of your comfort zone.

  • Let's step out of our comfort zones together.

  • New students, please know that you now have the opportunity to step boldly out into your future.

  • Pushing the door open, Dave stepped out and paused to look things over for himself.

    Fiction book (1991)

Synonyms

to get out
vsto step out
∞ 1.0

Leave a place or situation

is specifically for quick, brief exits often for a short purpose
to get out of here
vsto step out
  • Informal
∞ 3.0

Leave a place quickly or suddenly

usually means a short, calm brief exit outdoors rather than urgent fleeing
to go out
vsto step out
∞ 1.0

Leave a place to do a task, for example to help people

focuses on short, temporary absence rather than general departures
to go away
vsto step out
709 1.0

To leave a place or person and go somewhere else

means a short temporary absence rather than leaving for long periods
to head out
vsto step out
167 2.5

To leave a place to start a trip

implies a short absence rather than starting a longer trip or journey
outta here
vsto step out
  • Informal
156 9.9

To leave a place quickly, often suddenly

is used for a short, ordinary absence rather than sudden, dramatic exits
to skip
vsto step out
  • Informal
147 3.7

To leave a place quickly and secretly to avoid trouble

means a brief, normal exit rather than hiding or evading responsibility
to sneak out
vsto step out
  • Informal
125 3.7

To leave a place quietly so no one notices you

is for brief, ordinary exits rather than covert, hidden departures
to run out
vsto step out
78 2.0

Leave a place suddenly, often to avoid someone or something

suggests calm, planned short exits rather than hurried escapes
to slip out
vsto step out
39 3.8

To leave a place quietly without anyone noticing

describes open, brief exits rather than stealthy or secret departures
to sneak off
vsto step out
  • Informal
33 4.0

Leave a place quietly so others do not notice

indicates a short, simple outing rather than stealthy disappearance
to slip away
vsto step out
32 3.4

To leave a place quietly without anyone noticing

refers to quick, visible short outings rather than quiet disappearances
to go forth
vsto step out
  • Archaic
24 8.4

To leave a place and move away

is used for short casual exits rather than formal or literary departures
to pop out
vsto step out
  • Informal
16 3.2

To leave a place for a short time to do something

is similar but applies to any brief exit from a room or building
to push off
vsto step out
  • Informal
14 6.8

Leave a place or start a journey

means a brief leave from indoors rather than beginning a travel or trip
to duck out
vsto step out
  • Informal
12 7.2

To leave a place quickly and quietly to avoid something you should do

is the neutral act of briefly going outside for a purpose, not avoidance
to hop out
vsto step out
  • Informal
11 2.8

To get out of a vehicle or place quickly with a small jump

is the neutral action of leaving briefly without energetic motion
to bolt out
vsto step out
  • Informal
5 4.9

Leave a place suddenly and quickly because you feel scared

describes brief, normal absence rather than panicked or hurried leaving
to egress
vsto step out
  • Formal
1 8.9

To leave a place by going out

is the everyday phrase for a brief leave from an indoor place
to dip out
vsto step out
  • Informal
1 9.1

To leave a place quietly or suddenly without telling others

usually means a brief, acceptable break rather than shirking duties
to step out for some fresh air
vsto step out
1 2.3

To go outside briefly to breathe and feel better

is used for leaving briefly for any short purpose not only fresh air
to pop off
vsto step out
  • UK
1 7.9

To leave a place quickly, often without saying goodbye

is for brief, often purposeful exits rather than sudden disappearances
to exit stage left
vsto step out
  • Informal
1 7.9

Leave a place or conversation quietly to avoid attention

is a plain, everyday leave for a short while, not theatrical escape
to take your hook
vsto step out
  • Archaic
9.9

Leave a place quickly because you are not welcome

is used for short purposeful exits, not abrupt departures or farewells

Antonyms

to remain
∞ 1.0

To stay in the same place or state and not change

to stay put
  • Informal
133 2.0

Remain in the same place without moving

How Long

to leave
∞ 1.0
to go out
∞ 1.0
to step out
234 2.3
to pop out
  • Informal
16 3.2

Surface Forms

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

Morphology

step + out

The meaning 'to leave a room or building briefly' is directly and transparently derived from combining 'step' (move by placing a foot) with 'out' (away from the interior/outdoors). This motion verb + particle composition is a common, cross-linguistically accessible pattern, so an average B1 learner who knows the constituent words will readily infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

The phrasal verb step out comes from the simple picture of taking one step out of a room or building to go outside for a short time. That's why it now means 'to leave a place briefly'.