mincing steps

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mincing steps" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a way of walking that is careful, delicate, or affected, often implying a sense of daintiness or hesitation. Example: "She approached the stage with mincing steps, trying to maintain her composure despite her nerves."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Food

Travel

Dance

Fiction

Sports

Health

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Children's Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Meanwhile, barefoot, Butler meanders, skips, flits across the floor or bourrées in tight mincing steps, as if attempting to creep up to something or someone.

The New Yorker

A spectacular long-sleeved column of sequins and mirrored squares required the model to take mincing steps as she navigated this particular graveyard.

The New York Times

The girl dropped her eyes demurely, joined her hands across her waist, and crossed the room in little mincing steps as if imitating a geisha with bound feet.

The New Yorker

Many of the columns were lovely, elevated by gorgeous flower tones, but I hate to see women take mincing steps to get where they're going.

The New York Times

In an unexpected passage Mr. Selya is mocked by Mr. Asnes and Mr. Bowman, who perform a precious dance with mincing steps on tiptoe.

The New York Times - Arts

In the tank just above, looking like a princess in an aquatic fairy tale, a single, delicate prawn stood upright, took little mincing steps, and waved its delicate pink feelers, as though flustered.

The New York Times - Food

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Instead he is small, only five foot four, and walks with a mincing step.

The Guardian

This piece ends when one of the corps members, a man in his late sixties, breaks the monotony of recurrent signals in order to dance, with a quick, mincing step, to the airport restroom.

The New Yorker

The food processing chain in brief is as follows [ 35]: Large parts of beef, pork, and lard are cut into pieces and are frozen before the mincing step (Table 4).

BioMed Research International

Who wants to be forced to take mincing little steps?

BBC

Otherwise, unless you're determined to master the mincing, up-tempo steps of salsa or the herky-jerky lightning-fast spasms of swing dance (and you're prepared to dress the part, pay the entrance fee and strut your stuff at a club that sometimes feels more like a costume party), you're mostly out of luck.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context: ensure the use of "mincing steps" aligns with the tone and character being described. It is particularly effective in describing characters who are delicate, pretentious, or physically constrained by clothing or injury.

Common error

Avoid using "mincing steps" in contexts that require gravitas or seriousness, as the phrase can come across as comical or dismissive. Choose a more neutral descriptor like "careful steps" or "small steps" when describing serious or somber situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mincing steps" primarily functions as a descriptive phrase. It combines an adjective ("mincing") with a noun ("steps") to describe a particular manner of walking or moving. Ludwig AI provides examples across various contexts, illustrating its descriptive use.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Arts

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "mincing steps" is grammatically sound and commonly used to describe small, delicate, or affected movements. As noted by Ludwig AI, it appears across various contexts, including news, arts, and encyclopedias. While versatile, it is best used in neutral to informal settings, with careful consideration to avoid overuse in contexts requiring greater gravitas. Alternative phrases like "dainty steps" or "delicate steps" can offer similar descriptive qualities. With its descriptive and nuanced nature, the phrase enhances the imagery of movement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

delicate steps

Emphasizes the careful and gentle nature of the steps.

gingerly steps

Suggests caution and care in each step.

dainty steps

Focuses on the delicacy and grace of the steps.

tiny steps

Emphasizes the small size of the steps.

hesitant steps

Stresses the uncertainty or reluctance in the movement.

precise steps

Highlights the accuracy and deliberateness of the steps.

measured steps

Implies a controlled and deliberate pace.

short steps

Focuses on the reduced length of each step.

affected gait

Highlights the artificial or pretentious nature of the walk.

prissy steps

Suggests an overly refined or fastidious manner of walking.

FAQs

How can I describe a delicate walk instead of using "mincing steps"?

Alternatives include "dainty steps", "delicate steps", or "gingerly steps", each emphasizing different aspects of careful movement.

Is it appropriate to use "mincing steps" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "mincing steps" can sound somewhat affected or comical. In formal writing, consider more neutral alternatives like "careful steps" or "short steps" to maintain a professional tone.

What is the difference between "mincing steps" and "short steps"?

"Short steps" simply refers to the length of the steps. "Mincing steps" implies not only small steps but also a certain daintiness, affectation, or constraint in movement. It suggests a particular manner of walking, not just the step length.

Can "mincing steps" be used to describe animals?

Yes, "mincing steps" can describe animal movement, particularly if the animal's gait appears delicate, careful, or restricted due to injury or physical characteristics, such as a dog with hip dysplasia taking "short steps".