break step

break step

1. Literally, to stop walking or marching in unison with others. Come on, Tommy, don't break step! This band formation has to look perfect at the football game on Saturday!
2. By extension, to break from conformity with a larger group or others who one previously agreed with. The eminent scientist broke step with the research team by suggesting an entirely different conclusion about the data.
See also: break, step
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • march in step
  • march in step (with someone or something)
  • march in time (with someone or something)
  • be on the march
  • march out of step (with someone or something)
  • march out of time
  • march out of time (with someone or something)
  • literally
  • march on
  • on the march
References in periodicals archive
This is a make or break step, but I've jumped at it."
Glover looking to hit back with title win
This incident is the reason the British Army commands that soldiers 'break step' on bridges.
The week that was; The Union Flag appeared, and the Statue Of Liberty disappeared
Finding the skills sets required in a PPP partner are often under estimated and picking the right partners in any PPP is a make or break step on the road to success, stresses de la Torre.
Three Trends on Public-Private Partnerships in The Caribbean
Netanyahu said on Monday it was in Israel's "supreme interest to prevent Iran from arming itself with nuclear weapons." But his government also appears keen not to break step with key ally the United States and other world powers, which are seeking to persuade Tehran to curb the military potential of its nuclear program by means of diplomacy and economic sanctions.
Syria-Israel
As we approached it, someone at the front of our group shouted out: 'Break Step!'.
Walking meditation
The winger did not have to break step in delivering a perfect cross to set up Frank Lampard for West Ham's second.
Football: Ron Down; West Ham 2 Forest 1: Even Atko won't save Forest
It is well known in the infantry that we "break step" over a bridge, in case we damage it.
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