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

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/one-small-step-for-man-one-giant-leap-for-mankind
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

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

## Examples

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

## 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

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.