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• step-in
  step-in

  adjective

  (of garments, shoes, etc.) put on by being stepped into.
• step in
  step in

  verb

  (intr, adverb) to intervene or involve oneself, esp dramatically or at a senior level

step-in

American  

[step-in] / ˈstɛpˌɪn /

adjective

1. (of garments, shoes, etc.) put on by being stepped into.

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noun

1. step-ins, panties, especially bias-cut panties with wide legs worn by women in the 1920s and 1930s.

2. any step-in garment.

step in British  

verb

1. informal (intr, adverb) to intervene or involve oneself, esp dramatically or at a senior level

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adjective

1. (prenominal) (of garments, etc) put on by being stepped into; without fastenings

2. (of a ski binding) engaging automatically when the boot is positioned on the ski

noun

1. (often plural) a step-in garment, esp underwear

step in Idioms  

1. Enter into an activity or situation; also, intervene. For example, The business was doing poorly until Stan stepped in, or They are going to make a mess of the mailing unless someone steps in and shows them what to do. [Late 1400s] Also see step into.

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Etymology

Origin of step-in

First recorded in 1920–25; adj., noun use of verb phrase step in

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

step-in step in

Shyft said it plans to start pilot production this summer of its first Blue Arc vehicle, a step-in van, in Charlotte, Michigan, not far from its Novi headquarters.

From Reuters ● May 30, 2023

It has a flat floor, low step-in height, and B-pillarless design for easy entry and exit, as well as sliding doors, reclining seats, and plenty of headroom.

From The Verge ● Dec. 29, 2021

“Man, he’s got some explosive weapons. He’s stepping in for Winston, but Fitz is not a step-in guy. This guy has started in multiple cities,” Tomlin said.

From Washington Times ● Sep. 20, 2018

Can step-in director Hajime Tabata’s turn at the rudder resuscitate this once-beloved roleplaying franchise after a string of critically ambivalent installments?

From Time ● Sep. 27, 2016

The band tweeted that Brian O'Sullivan, who led the singing, could step-in for lead singer Brandon Flowers.

From BBC ● Mar. 28, 2016

"If he's gone, someone else will step in… the business will not stop."

From BBC ● Jul. 13, 2026

Now that a majority of Americans own stocks, policymakers may find it hard to sit on the sidelines and not step in if the equity market is teetering, Balchunas said.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 11, 2026

Boeing will mark another step in a marathon comeback Friday when it commemorates expanded production of the 737 MAX, now an aircraft in heavy demand after earlier disasters tarnished the company's reputation.

From Barron's ● Jul. 10, 2026

“She has the support of her family and the community, and we aim to prove her innocence, and we’re taking every step in that direction as we speak.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 8, 2026

As a first step in this process, in March 1611 Galileo set off on a visit to Rome, as the official scientific ambassador of the Tuscan state.

From "The Scientists" by John Gribbin