being stepped on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "being stepped on" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone is being oppressed, mistreated, or taken advantage of, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "In the workplace, she often felt like she was being stepped on by her colleagues who took credit for her ideas."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

"The people of Los Angeles aren't going to shed a lot of tears over a poor little mountain town being stepped on by an elephant". State Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Pacoima) sent a letter to the DWP last week recommending that the agency work with Mammoth Lakes to find common ground.

Los Angeles Times

Interviewer: Why? Goodman: You know you will find that one person steps on the other and the one being stepped on would say 'can't you see you stood on my toe' and the second guy would say: 'I'm sorry', then the first one would try and provoke the other one since he is drunk and because maybe he has a grudge with the second guy or something like that.

Global Health Action

When he was questioned about Sterling's death and the killing of Philando Castile by a Minnesota officer (who since then has been acquitted by a jury) in the immediate wake of those back-to-back incidents, the then-candidate went as far as telling Bill O'Reilly, "I mean, the one man who was being stepped on and then shot, in particular, I looked at that and I said 'wow, that's bad.

Vice

They also carry a broom with which they sweep the ground in front of them as they walk so as to clear away insects and other living beings that would be hurt or killed by being stepped on.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It's the idea of being stepped on".

The New Yorker

"Is a cat being stepped on?

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

His whole life has been stepped on had terrible experiences.

Princeton University

The cheater's block I'm stepping on also helps.

Los Angeles Times

Only one of them has never been stepped on.

Los Angeles Times

"We used to be stepped on.

The New York Times

Inevitably, toes were stepped on.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "being stepped on" metaphorically, ensure the context clearly indicates the power dynamic and the nature of the mistreatment or oppression. This will help your audience grasp the full impact of the situation you're describing.

Common error

Avoid using "being stepped on" in overly casual conversations, as it can sometimes come across as melodramatic. In less serious contexts, consider using more understated alternatives to convey a sense of minor inconvenience or being slightly overlooked.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "being stepped on" functions as a passive construction, typically used as a verb phrase or within a clause. As supported by Ludwig AI, it indicates that someone or something is the recipient of an action that is oppressive or dismissive.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Academia

16%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "being stepped on" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase to express the feeling of oppression or mistreatment. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across varied contexts, primarily in News & Media and Academic spheres. While generally neutral in register, it's important to consider the emotional weight of the phrase and ensure it fits the tone of your writing. Related alternatives include "being oppressed" and "being mistreated", each carrying subtle differences in meaning. This phrase effectively conveys a power imbalance and the experience of having one's rights or feelings disregarded.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

being oppressed

Emphasizes the feeling of being controlled or dominated by someone with more power.

being mistreated

Highlights the experience of receiving unfair or abusive behavior.

being taken advantage of

Focuses on the exploitation of someone's vulnerability or naiveté for personal gain.

being suppressed

Indicates that someone's voice, rights, or actions are being actively prevented or diminished.

being dominated

Highlights the power imbalance and the control one entity exerts over another.

being exploited

Focuses on the unfair use of someone or something for profit or advantage.

being pushed around

Suggests a lack of respect and a tendency to be bossed or bullied.

being walked over

Implies a complete disregard for someone's feelings or rights.

being subjugated

Indicates that someone is being brought under control or domination, often by force.

being stifled

Suggests that someone's growth, development, or expression is being restricted.

FAQs

How can I use "being stepped on" in a sentence?

You can use "being stepped on" to describe a situation where someone is mistreated or oppressed. For example: "The small business felt like it was "being stepped on" by the larger corporations."

What is a good alternative to "being stepped on"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "being oppressed", "being mistreated", or "being taken advantage of".

Is "being stepped on" grammatically correct?

Yes, "being stepped on" is a grammatically correct passive construction. It uses the gerund form of "be" followed by the past participle of "step".

What does it mean when someone says they feel like they are "being stepped on"?

It means they feel like they are being unfairly treated, dominated, or taken advantage of by someone else. It often implies a power imbalance where their rights or feelings are disregarded.