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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

“Today was a step in the right direction,” said Glasnow, the formerHart High School star, before leaving the clubhouse in flip-flops.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 19, 2026

The American joined the club in December to work with the women's first team and men's academy, full of excitement for the next step in her coaching career.

From BBC ● Sep. 13, 2026

Smith makes treats like Skittles, gummy bears and pasta festooned with marigold petals, narrating each step in a baby-soft voice while wearing dreamy fits.

From Salon ● Sep. 12, 2026

“The single biggest hurdle for long-term investors, in our discussions, has been proving out the ROI on AI investment, and we believe the Muse app is a significant step in that direction,” the analysts write.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 10, 2026

I lift one leg over the lip of the pod to step in.

From "The Last Cuentista" by Donna Barba Higuera