step out
Definition
Verb: 1. To leave a room or building briefly: To go outside for a short period of time, often implying a quick errand or break. 2. To go out socially: To leave one's home or current location for a social engagement or event.
Usage
The verb "step out" is used to indicate a temporary departure. It often suggests the action will be brief or that the person will return soon. It can be used for both mundane, practical reasons (like getting fresh air) and for social plans.
Examples
- Verb (to leave briefly):
- I need to step out for a moment to make a phone call.
- The manager has just stepped out of the office; she'll be back in five minutes.
- Verb (to go out socially):
- They decided to step out for dinner and a movie.
- We're stepping out tonight to celebrate.
Advanced Usage
- "step out on someone": To be unfaithful to a romantic partner; to cheat.
- Rumors spread that he was stepping out on his wife.
Variants and Related Words
- Step-out (noun): Used in geology to describe a deviation in a borehole or mine shaft. (This is a specialized technical term.)
- Step outside: A phrase often used as a euphemism for going outside to fight or settle a dispute.
- He told him to step outside if he had a problem.
Synonyms
- Pop out: To leave very briefly and casually.
- Duck out: To leave quickly or furtively for a short time.
- Go out: To leave for a social event (broader, less specific about brevity).
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Step in: To intervene or become involved in a situation.
- Step back: To withdraw temporarily to gain perspective.
- Step up: To increase effort or take on more responsibility.
Related Idioms
- Step out of line: To behave inappropriately or disobediently.
- Any soldier who steps out of line will be disciplined.
- Step out in style: To go out for a social event dressed very fashionably.
- For the premiere, she really stepped out in style.
Verb
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go outside a room or building for a short period of time