take a step back

English

Verb

take a step back (third-person singular simple present takes a step back, present participle taking a step back, simple past took a step back, past participle taken a step back)

1. (figuratively) To withdraw temporarily from a situation in order to evaluate it; to cease one's course of action and take a moment to reflect on it; to try and gain some perspective.

Related terms

• step back

Translations

Translations

• Finnish: ottaa askel kauemmaksi, ottaa askel kauemmas
• French: prendre du recul (fr), prendre de la distance, prendre de la hauteur (fr)
• Polish: robić krok w tył impf, zrobić krok w tył pf
• Spanish: dar un paso atrás

Further reading

• “take a step back” in Idioms and phrases, TheFreeDictionary.com, Huntingdon Valley, Pa.: Farlex, Inc., 2003–2024.