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out of step
/aʊt əv stɛp/◆idiom
not in sync with others
The new employee felt out of step with the team's workflow.
The new employee struggled to match the team's established work habits.
informal
Not in sync or harmony with others, often in terms of behavior, opinion, or timing.
His political views were out of step with the majority of the party members.
His political views did not align with most of the party members.
The dancer was out of step with the music during the performance.
The dancer's movements did not match the rhythm of the music.
This phrase is often used to describe social, professional, or creative misalignment.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Common Usage
This phrase is often used to describe social or professional situations where someone is not aligned with others.
Gold Rule
Avoid Overuse
While useful, overusing this phrase can make your language repetitive. Vary your expressions when describing misalignment.
Word Origin
The phrase originates from marching or dancing, where being 'out of step' means moving at a different rhythm than others. It has since been extended to describe broader forms of misalignment.
Usage Notes
This phrase is commonly used in both literal and figurative contexts, often to describe social or professional misalignment rather than physical movement.
Word Breakdown
out
not in
prefixof
belonging to or associated with
prepositionstep
a movement or rhythm
nounEnglish Dictionary