losing step

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "losing step" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something is falling behind or not keeping up with others. Example: "As technology advances rapidly, many companies find themselves losing step with their competitors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The controversy illustrates how fraught the road can be for educators who venture beyond academics to influence students about sensitive social issues, risking not just lawsuits, but also losing step with parents and voters.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"I remember it so vaguely," said Stephen Dunn, known as Radar for his jump shots against the zone, now a nationally acclaimed poet, who will read a poem about aging, "Losing Steps," to his teammates today.

The New York Times - Sports

Birds can get lost, stepped on or sat on if you don't pay attention to where they went.

WikiHow

Stephen Dunn "Losing Steps" is printed by permission of The Georgia Review, which will publish the poem as part of a Stephen Dunn-featured section in a forthcoming issue.

The New York Times - Sports

Then, the carbonate or bicarbonate is hydrogenated and loses H2O step by step.

Applied Petrochemical Research

Rivers said he did not see the Nets losing a step without Mutombo.

The New York Times - Sports

Zobrist is even a couple years older than Kendrick, and is losing a step on defense.

The Guardian - Sport

Hey, maybe I'm losing a step here, or I'm not the player I used to be.

The New York Times - Sports

The one time my license disappeared -- two months ago at Newark Airport -- my backup plan let me keep going without losing a step.

The New York Times - Travel

But 'You're losing a step so we need to rework your deal and you take a pay cut'?

The New York Times - Sports

"When a judge slows down, or becomes cranky, or shows signs of losing a step mentally, I need to know".

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "losing step" to describe gradual decline, not sudden failure.

Common error

Avoid using "losing step" to describe a complete or abrupt failure. The phrase implies a gradual decline in ability or effectiveness, not a sudden collapse.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "losing step" primarily functions as a descriptive phrase, often acting as a predicate complement. As confirmed by Ludwig, it describes a state of decline or a reduction in capability. This is evident in the examples, where it describes athletes, companies, or even abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "losing step" is a versatile expression used to describe a decline in ability, performance, or relevance. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. While frequently appearing in news and media, it's essential to remember that it suggests a gradual decline rather than a sudden failure. Alternatives such as "falling behind" or "declining in performance" can provide similar nuances, depending on the specific context. Therefore, writers can confidently employ "losing step" when aiming to convey a sense of diminishing effectiveness, but should be mindful of the subtle connotations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

falling behind

This alternative focuses on the action of not keeping pace with others.

declining in performance

This phrase emphasizes a reduction in the quality of someone's or something's actions.

deteriorating

This option describes a gradual worsening of condition or ability.

slowing down

This suggests a reduction in speed or efficiency.

becoming less effective

This highlights a decrease in the ability to produce a desired result.

losing momentum

This implies a reduction in the force or speed of movement or progress.

slipping

This suggests a gradual decline or descent from a previous level.

becoming outdated

This refers to losing relevance or currency due to new developments.

regressing

This describes a return to a less developed state.

stagnating

This indicates a lack of growth or development.

FAQs

What does it mean to say someone is "losing step"?

Saying someone is "losing step" means they are declining in ability, speed, or effectiveness. It suggests a gradual decrease in performance rather than a sudden failure.

What are some alternatives to "losing step"?

You can use alternatives like "falling behind", "declining in performance", or "slowing down" to convey a similar meaning.

How can I use "losing step" in a sentence?

You might say, "The veteran athlete is showing signs of "losing step"" or "The company is "losing step" with its competitors due to lack of innovation."

Is it more appropriate to say "losing step" or "lost a step"?

"Losing step" describes an ongoing process of decline, while "lost a step" typically refers to a specific instance or a noticeable reduction in ability at a particular point in time. The choice depends on the intended nuance.