a step away from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a step away from" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something is very close to a particular state or condition, often implying a transition or change. Example: "After months of hard work, we are now just a step away from completing the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Chickens is a step away from that more grossout comedy".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Three Monkeys is a step away from this.

The Guardian - Film

Refusing uniforms is a step away from all that.

The Guardian

"The projects are a step away from changing the NHS.

The Guardian

A step away from reality — consensus reality — in the interests of seeing it better".

The New York Times - Magazine

"We're a step away from our dream," Olimpia defender Nelson Benitez told Reuters.

The New York Times - Sports

A step away from grand platitudes is still one in the right direction.

Independent

The national unity government was a step away from that brink.

The New York Times

The latter is clearly a step away from Amec's traditional world.

The Guardian

Women were treated just a step away from J. Fred Muggs, the show's onetime chimpanzee mascot.

The New York Times - Magazine

But their works, written in English, are a step away from the works of their forefathers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In political or business contexts, use this phrase to describe a shift in strategy or a move away from traditional methods.

Common error

Do not use "a step away from" if you intend to describe a wide gap or total disconnection. The phrase implies extreme proximity. If the subjects are entirely unrelated, use a phrase like "worlds apart" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a step away from" functions as an idiomatic prepositional phrase used to quantify metaphorical or physical distance. According to Ludwig, it often acts as a predicate nominative or an adverbial modifier that defines the current state of a subject in relation to a target.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Social Media

5%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

As confirmed by Ludwig AI, "a step away from" is a versatile and correct English expression used to denote extreme proximity to a certain state or a departure from a previous norm. It is especially prevalent in News & Media contexts, where it helps describe everything from scientific breakthroughs to political crises. Whether you are describing a person "a step away from" homelessness or a project "a step away from" changing a global industry, the phrase provides a clear sense of how little distance remains before a significant transition occurs. For the best impact, ensure that the 'step' metaphorically aligns with the scale of the change being discussed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the brink of

Suggests a more dramatic or precarious proximity, often used for crises or major breakthroughs.

on the verge of

Focuses on the imminence of an event or state about to happen.

close to

A simpler, more direct literal or metaphorical description of proximity.

just short of

Emphasizes that something almost reached a goal but didn't quite make it.

on the cusp of

Suggests being at the very edge of a transition or a new period.

one step removed from

Emphasizes a slight degree of separation rather than just being 'close'.

a stone's throw from

A more informal idiom usually referring to physical distance.

a departure from

Focuses on the movement 'away' as a change from a previous norm.

nearly at

A literal way to describe being almost at a destination or point.

approaching

A dynamic verb form that indicates active movement toward a state.

FAQs

What does "a step away from" mean?

It means to be very close to a particular state, result or condition. For example, being "a step away from victory" means victory is almost achieved.

How do I use "a step away from" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe proximity to a goal or a change in behavior. For example: "The discovery is "a step away from" curing the disease".

What is the difference between "a step away from" and "on the brink of"?

While both mean very close, "on the brink of" often carries a more urgent or negative connotation, such as being on the edge of a cliff or disaster.

Can I say "one step away from" instead?

Yes, "one step away from" is a perfectly valid and slightly more specific variation of the same phrase.