step by step

1. By degrees, as in You'll have to go through this recipe step by step. This idiom transfers putting one foot in front of the other to other kinds of progress. [c. 1700]

Example Sentences

This is a program building step by step, focusing on academics during the day, study halls, then sports in the afternoon.

From Los Angeles Times

That is the counter-terrorism policing way: slowly but surely, step by step, seek to contain and, ultimately, crush the threat.

From BBC

“Plus, Serato always does a phenomenal job at providing the best instruction, step by step.”

From Los Angeles Times

“We need to take it step by step, meaning game by game,” Cherundolo said.

From Los Angeles Times

Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's prime minister, said in a video on Wednesday that his country's forces were "progressing step by step" towards eliminating threats posed by Iran's nuclear sites and ballistic missile arsenal.

From BBC

Related Words

• piecemeal