avoid stepping into

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "avoid stepping into" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when advising someone to refrain from entering a situation or context that may be problematic or undesirable. Example: "To maintain a peaceful atmosphere, it's best to avoid stepping into any arguments between colleagues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Automotive

Politics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

He just needs to be assertive and gracious and avoid stepping into a hit or looking rattled".

The New York Times

Donnelly's mirrors combine turn signals and "puddle lights," an increasingly popular feature that shines a small spotlight on the ground near car doors to help the driver and passengers avoid stepping into a mess after dark.

The New York Times

As I said, there's some question about who would have the legal standing to sue to stop the president from raising the debt ceiling, and the Supreme Court has traditionally tried to avoid stepping into conflicts between the two branches of government.

The New Yorker

Your best strategy for digesting news is to find a website you trust, check it once a day at a maximum, and avoid stepping into the sludgy rivers of social-media arguments about politics.

Vice

Though the measure authorizing the transfer did not mention South Africa, Tom Donner, college assistant superintendent of business, said the banks were selected so that the school could avoid "stepping into the divestiture problem". Donner said that under the new measure a check-clearing account with a peak balance of about $200,000 will be moved from Union Bank to Santa Monica Bank.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Mr. Carney took over from Mr. Gibbs in mid-February, and so far has avoided stepping into controversy.

The New York Times

He has purposely avoided stepping into debates about educational theory, his advisers say, as a way of keeping potential critics of his ideas from using them to distract from his goal of mayoral control, or even to prevent him from reaching it.

The New York Times

Today, at Westminster Magistrates Court, duty solicitor Marianna Christou stepped out of Court 7 and narrowly avoided stepping into a pile of human shit.

Vice

Almost everyone who lives, works, or ventures into Old Town Chinatown has stories of routinely having to avoid stepping in coils of human shit.

Vice

Almost everyone who lives, works or ventures into Old Town Chinatown has stories of routinely having to avoid stepping in coils of human shit.

Vice

In the aftermath of that general but vaguely sketched background, DiCaprio's character tried to keep his son safe and alive, teaching him to avoid attracting attention and to work alongside the whites while avoiding stepping too far into their world.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "avoid stepping into", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being avoided, whether it's a physical hazard, a contentious situation, or a potential problem.

Common error

Avoid assuming the audience understands the implicit danger or problem. Always specify what negative consequences "avoid stepping into" aims to prevent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "avoid stepping into" functions as an idiomatic expression, advising caution and prevention from entering an undesirable situation. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "avoid stepping into" is a commonly used idiomatic phrase that advises caution and prevention from entering undesirable situations. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts. While generally neutral in register, it can be adapted for more formal settings by choosing appropriate alternatives like "refrain from entering". The phrase is most frequently found in news and media sources, serving the purpose of providing guidance and warnings. When using this phrase, ensure clarity about what specific risk or problem is being avoided.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

steer clear of

Focuses on maintaining distance from something, avoiding any interaction or involvement.

refrain from entering

Emphasizes a deliberate choice not to enter a situation or place, indicating conscious avoidance.

evade getting into

Highlights the act of escaping or dodging involvement in a particular situation.

sidestep involvement in

Suggests skillfully avoiding participation or entanglement in something.

keep out of

Implies staying away from a particular place or situation, maintaining a safe distance.

bypass getting caught up in

Focuses on circumventing or going around a situation to avoid being affected by it.

dodge entering

Emphasizes quickly moving out of the way to avoid entering a specific situation.

prevent oneself from entering

Highlights the conscious effort to stop oneself from getting involved.

avert intrusion into

Suggests taking proactive measures to prevent unwanted entry or involvement.

escape getting dragged into

Implies avoiding being unwillingly pulled into an undesirable situation.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "avoid stepping into" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "refrain from entering", "evade getting into", or "sidestep involvement in depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "avoid stepping into" and "steer clear of"?

"Avoid stepping into" suggests preventing entry into a specific situation, while "steer clear of" implies maintaining distance from something in general. The former is more targeted.

Is it correct to use "avoid stepping in" instead of "avoid stepping into"?

While "avoid stepping in" can be grammatically correct, it typically refers to avoiding stepping into a physical substance. "Avoid stepping into" is more commonly used for avoiding situations or problems.

Can you provide an example of when it's appropriate to use "avoid stepping into"?

You might use "avoid stepping into" when advising someone to "avoid stepping into" an argument, "avoid stepping into" a legal issue, or "avoid stepping into" a financial trap. The phrase is useful when there's a clear risk to be avoided.