step

step

1. informal The same pace or rhythm as someone or something else. Used with the prepositions "in" or "out of." My date kept dancing out of step with me throughout our entire prom. It was so embarrassing! Come on, man, you need to be in step with the bass and drums.
2. informal Agreement or accordance. Used with the prepositions "in" or "out of." You really need to get in step with the priorities of this company. You work for us, not for yourself. Making a sexist statement like that just proves how much he is out of step with the views of modern society.

step on (one's) toes

To insult, offend, or upset one, especially by getting involved in something that is one's responsibility. I want to help John out on his project, but I know it's his baby, so I don't want to step on his toes in any way. Look, you're going to have to step on a few peoples' toes if you want to get ahead in this business.
See also: on, step, toe
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

step

/tread on (someone's) toes
To hurt, offend, or encroach on the feelings, actions, or province of.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See:
  • (You) wanna step outside?
  • (You) want to step outside?
  • a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step
  • a spring in (one's) step
  • a step in the right direction
  • a stepping stone
  • a/one step ahead
  • at (one's) doorstep
  • at death's doorstep
  • away from desk
  • Aztec two-step
  • be in step (with someone or something)
  • be in/out of step
  • be one step ahead
  • be out of step
  • break step
  • dance out of step
  • fall into step
  • false step
  • first step is always the hardest
  • from the sublime to the ridiculous is only a step
  • get in(to) step (with someone or something)
  • have a spring in (one's) step
  • in lockstep (with someone or something)
  • in step
  • in step with (someone or something)
  • keep in step
  • keep in step (with someone or something)
  • keep in step with the times
  • keep one step ahead (of someone or something)
  • keep one step ahead of
  • keep step
  • lose a step
  • make a false step
  • march in step
  • march in step (with someone or something)
  • march out of step (with someone or something)
  • mind (one's) step
  • mind your step
  • mind/watch your step
  • on (one's) doorstep
  • one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind
  • one step ahead
  • one step at a time
  • one step forward and two steps back
  • one step forward, two back
  • one step forward, two steps back
  • out of line
  • out of step
  • overstep (one's)/its mark
  • overstep the bounds (of something)
  • start off on the wrong foot
  • stay one step ahead (of someone or something)
  • step
  • step (it) up a gear
  • step all over (one)
  • step aside
  • step back
  • step back on
  • step back on (something)
  • step between
  • step between (someone or something)
  • step by step
  • step down
  • step forward
  • step in
  • step in the right direction, a
  • step inside
  • step into
  • step into (someone's) boots
  • step into (someone's) shoes
  • step into (something)
  • step into dead men's shoes
  • step into shoes
  • step into somebody's shoes
  • step into someone's boots
  • step into someone's shoes
  • step into the breach
  • step it up
  • step off
  • step off on the wrong foot
  • step off the curb
  • step on
  • step on (one's) toes
  • step on a crack, break your mother's back
  • step on it
  • Step on it!
  • step on someone's toes
  • step on the gas
  • step on toes
  • step out
  • step out into
  • step out into (some place)
  • step out of (something or some place) (and) into (some place)
  • step out of line
  • step out on someone
  • step outside
  • step over
  • step right up
  • step right up to (someone or something)
  • step things up
  • step to (one)
  • step to it
  • step up
  • step up (one's) game
  • step up to
  • step up to (someone or something)
  • step up to the plate
  • step/tread on someone's toes, to
  • step-by-step
  • step-child
  • step-dad
  • step-daughter
  • step-father
  • step-kid
  • step-mom
  • step-mother
  • step-parent
  • stepped on
  • step-son
  • take a step back
  • take steps
  • take steps to (do something)
  • take steps to do something
  • the first step is always the hardest
  • the green apple quickstep
  • tread on (someone's) toes
  • two steps ahead (of someone or something)
  • two steps forward and one step back
  • watch (one's) step
  • watch one's step
  • watch step
  • You want to step outside?
References in classic literature
In due time it backed up to the door with much gong-clanging, and the capable young medico, in his white linen coat, ready, active, confident, with his smooth face half debonair, half grim, danced up the steps.
The Four Million
Diavolo!" he exclaimed, "I forgot the recommendation of De Comminges, who advised me to take a guard and place it at this door, in order not to put myself at the mercy of that four-headed combination of devils." And with a movement of impatience he turned to retrace his steps.
Twenty Years After
"Well, well, if it was fastened the steps could have nothing to do with the matter.
Ah, of course, here is a hole in the roof." With great activity, considering his bulk, he sprang up the steps and squeezed through into the garret, and immediately afterwards we heard his exulting voice proclaiming that he had found the trap-door.
"You see!" said Athelney Jones, reappearing down the steps again.
Sign of the Four
But I'll go as far with you as I dare go, and a step beyond, for I'll have my wig sorted by the captain or I'm mistaken!
Treasure Island
But this time Milady lent a more attentive ear than the first, and she heard their steps die away in the distance of the corridor.
Before she went to bed she had pondered, analyzed, turned on all sides, examined on all points, the words, the steps, the gestures, the signs, and even the silence of her interlocutors; and of this profound, skillful, and anxious study the result was that Felton, everything considered, appeared the more vulnerable of her two persecutors.
Three Musketeers
By what light there was, he would see Alan standing, like a dark shadow, on the steps; the three witnesses were hidden quite out of his view; so that there was nothing to alarm an honest man in his own house.
Kidnapped
Halting for an instant at the foot of the ladder, and with both hands grasping the ornamental knobs of the man-ropes, Father Mapple cast a look upwards, and then with a truly sailorlike but still reverential dexterity, hand over hand, mounted the steps as if ascending the main-top of his vessel.
Moby Dick I LXVII
Step 3: Keep turning to the right and place your left hand on the floor or on a support on the inside of your right foot (Revolved Triangle Pose).
Strike a pose & Breeeeathe: Michelle Keenan asks Asheville's top yogis to teach us their favorite poses
Step 2--Then ask what information will give us an answer or indication we are or are not on the road to success.
Commander's corner
According to the scientific method, the very first step in an investigation is to identify the problem.
Investigating on-site incidents and accidents; Excerpted from the new book Investigations in Long-Term Care Facilities: Implementing a Standardized Model
In return for their donation sponsors got to name a step and those flying the flag for Teesside include step 165 the Lincoln Family Redcar and step 14 which has been named after Nell the Sheepdog from Moorsholm.
Find your name on the steps
Read on to learn how Brent followed the steps of the scientific method to create a high-speed and environmentally friendly dragster.
Green racer: a young race-car driver proves that environmentally friendly dragsters can crush the gas-guzzling competition