Step Outside

Also Step Out

Meaning of Idiom ‘Step Outside’

To step outside means to go outside for a brief period.

Step out can also mean to go out for the evening.

To step out with someone is to go out with someone on a date. Both these uses are rare today. ¹, ²

Usage

Step outside is sometimes shortened to ‘step out’ as in “Mr. Johnson just stepped out of the office for a cigarette.”

Examples Of Use

“I’m going to step outside a moment. I’ll be back soon.”

“Is Ms. Peloski in?” asked Jim. “He just stepped outside. I’m sure she’ll be back in a few moments,” said Nancy.

Origin

Used since the early 1900’s.

More Idioms Starting with S

• Scaredy-Cat
• Steal Someone’s Thunder
• Stand On Someone’s Shoulders
• Sleep Tight
• Screw UP

More Out Idioms

• Out of Order
• Get Out of My Hair
• Out of the Corner of One’s Eye
• Iron Out
• Have Something Out

More Outside Idioms

More Step Idioms

• Step Up to the Plate
• Hornet’s Nest, a

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References

1. Ammer, Christine. American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2013.
2. Heacock, Paul. Cambridge Dictionary of American Idioms. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 2010.