ENGLISH
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one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind

idiom
Meaning

(used imitatively) A cliché used to exaggerate an accomplishment or milestone.


Origin

disputed origin

Spoken by Neil Armstrong when he first stepped onto the surface of the Moon. Armstrong intended to say "one small step for a man", but misspoke.http://www.snopes.com/quotes/onesmall.asp

Examples
SIMPLE

Finishing this book is one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.

CONTEXTUAL

After finally organizing my messy desk, I joked that it was one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.

COMPLEX

The CEO described the minor software update as one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind, much to the amusement of the staff.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    as best one can

    In the best possible way, given one's circumstances and abilities.

  2. 02

    as far as one knows

    To the best of one's knowledge, as far as someone knows or possible information to be gathered about the topic, subject, aspect, or situation.

  3. 03

    baby step

    A small effort made towards the completion of a much larger task.

  4. 04

    back to square one

    Located back at the start, as after a dead end or failure.

  5. 05

    be a man

    To put up with something or take responsibility for it; to deal with something, such as pain or misfortune, without complaining.

  6. 06

    be one's own man

    To behave independently without the influence of others.

  7. 07

    be the bigger man

    To walk away from a conflict to prevent it from escalating.

  8. 08

    beat as one

    To share the same feelings.

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