take a step back (English, verb)
expansion: take a step back (third-person singular simple present takes a step back, present participle taking a step back, simple past took a step back, past participle taken a step back)
Senses:
glosses: To withdraw temporarily from a situation in order to evaluate it; to cease one's course of action and take a moment to reflect on it; to try and gain some perspective.
tags: figuratively
Forms:
form: takes a step back
tags: present
singular
third-person
form: taking a step back
tags: participle
present
form: took a step back
tags: past
form: taken a step back
tags: participle
past