footstep
/'futstep/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- The distance covered by a single step: The length of a step taken while walking or running.
- The act of taking a step: The movement of lifting and setting down the foot in walking.
- The sound made by a step: The audible noise produced by a foot touching a surface while walking.
- A mark or impression left by a foot: A footprint or trace left on a surface (this meaning is less common in modern usage and often appears in metaphorical contexts).
Examples of Usage
- Noun (Distance):
- He measured the room in footsteps, finding it was about twelve steps long.
- The treasure was buried just a few footsteps from the old oak tree.
- Noun (Act/Sound):
- With each heavy footstep, he climbed the creaky stairs.
- She heard a faint footstep in the hallway and froze.
- Noun (Metaphorical/Figurative):
- He followed in his father's footsteps and became a doctor. (This idiom uses the concept of a trace or path left behind.)
Advanced Usage
- "to follow in someone's footsteps": To pursue the same career, lifestyle, or actions as someone else, especially a predecessor.
- She followed in her mentor's footsteps by dedicating her life to environmental science.
- "a footstep away": Used to indicate a very short distance.
- Help seemed only a footstep away when the ranger appeared. (Note: "footstep" here is singular, emphasizing proximity rather than the literal sound or act.)
Variants and Related Words
- Footfall (n): A synonym, specifically for the sound of a footstep.
- The empty house echoed with every footfall.
- Step (n): A more general term for the act, sound, or distance of moving the foot. "Footstep" often implies more weight or auditory emphasis.
- Tread (n/v): Can refer to the manner or sound of walking, or the part of a shoe that touches the ground.
Synonyms
- Step: For the act or distance.
- Tread: For the sound or manner of stepping.
- Footfall: For the sound.
Related Phrases
- Patter of footsteps: Describes light, quick steps.
- The patter of little footsteps came from the children's room.
- Heavy footstep: Describes a slow, loud step.
- The guard's heavy footsteps signaled his approach.
Related Idioms
- Follow in someone's footsteps: As defined in Advanced Usage.
- Watch your step: Be careful where you walk; also used figuratively to mean be cautious in one's actions. (This idiom uses "step," not "footstep," but is conceptually related.)
- Watch your step on the icy path.
- You need to watch your step when dealing with that client.
Noun
- the distance covered by a step
- he stepped off ten paces from the old tree and began to dig
- the act of taking a step in walking
- the sound of a step of someone walking
- he heard footsteps on the porch