step on it
To act quickly.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“Step on it or we'll miss the bus.”
“The manager told the team to step on it if they wanted to finish the project by Friday.”
“With the deadline looming and half the work still undone, she urged her colleagues to step on it before the client arrived.”
The phrase is a reference to the foot pedal of an automobile accelerator, where the physical act of stepping down increases the speed of the vehicle.
- 01
baby step
A small effort made towards the completion of a much larger task.
- 02
one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind
(used imitatively) A cliché used to exaggerate an accomplishment or milestone.
- 03
one step ahead
maintaining a slight advantage; continuing to lead
- 04
one step forward, two steps back
A situation in which progress is more than offset by adverse developments.
- 05
pep in one's step
A confident, happy, energetic or enthusiastic mood or manner.
- 06
retrace one's steps
To return to a place one has been to before.
- 07
smell what someone is stepping in
Alternative form of pick up what someone is putting down.
- 08
spring in one's step
Enthusiasm, energy or a positive outlook or cheerful attitude.
Last updated August 10, 2026