step out
step out — phrasal verb
- step outbase form
- steps out3rd person singular
- stepping out-ing form
- stepped outpast simple
1. to leave your home and go to social events, restaurants, bars, or places of ente
to leave your home and go to social events, restaurants, bars, or places of entertainment with other people.
Theo stepped out for drinks with his colleagues after the project was finished.
step out for [purpose]
Since the twins were born, we rarely step out for dinner or shows.
Shanti loves to step out on Friday nights and sample the food at new restaurants.
Daichi and Putri step out twice a week to visit galleries or hear live music.
- go out
more general; 'step out' feels slightly more purposeful or planned
- stay in
to remain at home instead of going out socially
文法句型
step out for [purpose]
step out on [day/occasion]
step out — verb
- step outpresent simple I / you / we / they
- steps out3rd person singular
- stepping out-ing form
- stepped outpast simple
1. to leave a room, building, or vehicle briefly, usually to do something specific
to leave a room, building, or vehicle briefly, usually to do something specific like answering a phone, getting fresh air, or running a quick errand.
Andrés stepped out of the lecture hall to take a call from his sister.
step out of [place] + purpose clause
The librarian stepped out for a moment and asked Greta to watch the front desk.
Femi stepped out onto the fire escape to get some fresh air between meetings.
Owen stepped out of the taxi and helped his grandmother carry the bags inside.
During the exam, one student asked to step out for a drink of water.
- step in
to enter a place briefly
文法句型
step out of [place]
step out for [short time/purpose]
用法筆記
Subject is usually a person. The location being left is typically introduced by 'of' or 'from'. This sense differs from GO OUT SOCIALLY in that the purpose is practical rather than recreational.
常見錯誤
2. to begin walking or marching more quickly, with longer strides and more energy,
to begin walking or marching more quickly, with longer strides and more energy, often as part of a group or in a purposeful manner.
The hikers stepped out along the mountain trail at dawn.
step out + direction phrase
Femi told the team to step out and pick up the pace for the final lap.
The marching band stepped out to the rhythm of the drums during the parade.
Greta stepped out onto the track with fierce determination in her eyes.
文法句型
step out [direction]
step out + adverbial of pace
3. (euphemistic, old-fashioned) to pass away or die, as if stepping out of life and
(euphemistic, old-fashioned) to pass away or die, as if stepping out of life and into whatever comes next.
Mrs. Chen stepped out quietly in her sleep at the age of ninety-two.
euphemistic use with temporal context
When the last surviving trustee steps out, the estate goes to charity.
The poet's final letter said he was ready to step out and meet his maker.
My great-aunt stepped out at the ripe age of ninety-seven, surrounded by her grandchildren.
文法句型
step out [without object]
用法筆記
This euphemism is dated and uncommon in modern everyday English. Most contemporary speakers prefer 'pass away' or 'die'. It may appear in older literature or formal obituaries aiming for a gentle tone.
常見錯誤
4. to go out frequently to parties, social gatherings, clubs, and cultural events,
to go out frequently to parties, social gatherings, clubs, and cultural events, leading an active and busy social life.
Since moving to Taipei, Joshua has been stepping out almost every weekend.
step out + frequency adverb
Putri stepped out every night during fashion week, attending shows and after-parties.
Cyrus is known for stepping out with artists and musicians around the city.
After the divorce, Sade decided to step out more and rebuild her social circle.
- go out a lot
less emphatic, neutral register
- hit the town
more informal, suggests nightlife specifically
- stay home
to remain at home rather than socialising
文法句型
step out [adverb of frequency/time]
用法筆記
Subject is always a person. This sense overlaps with GO OUT SOCIALLY (phrasal verb sense) but emphasises regularity and enthusiasm rather than a single instance of going out.
5. to have a romantic or sexual relationship with someone other than your current p
to have a romantic or sexual relationship with someone other than your current partner, without that partner's knowledge or consent.
Sade found out that her husband had been stepping out with a coworker for months.
step out with [other person]
The tabloids claimed the actor was stepping out on his wife while filming overseas.
step out on [partner]
Owen accused his girlfriend of stepping out after he saw her texts with another man.
The song tells of a man who regrets stepping out on the one who loved him.
- cheat on
the most common modern equivalent, neutral register
- be unfaithful to
more formal and general
- two-time
informal, older slang
- be faithful
to remain loyal to a partner
文法句型
step out on [someone]
step out with [someone else]
用法筆記
The preposition 'on' introduces the betrayed partner (e.g., 'step out on his wife'). Without 'on', the phrase takes 'with' for the other person (e.g., 'step out with a coworker').