Etymology Journal · O
One step at a time
Meaning
- A gentle reminder to focus on the immediate task rather than worrying about the entire project. It is meant to soothe anxiety by breaking a large burden into manageable pieces.
Comforting, patient
Used in a sentence
- You do not need to finish the whole kitchen remodel today, just take it one step at a time.
- Take a deep breath and handle your homework one step at a time.
- Everything feels overwhelming, so let's just go one step at a time.
The backstory
This is a common-sense idiom that has been used in various forms for centuries. It reflects the practical wisdom of pacing oneself during long journeys or difficult endeavors.
Heard in
Nationwide
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