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

Usage

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

Step outside idiom meaning

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

More Out Idioms

More Outside Idioms

More Step Idioms

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Sources   [ + ]

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.