precipitous step

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "precipitous step" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sudden or steep action, often implying a risky or hasty decision. Example: "The company took a precipitous step by investing all its resources into a single project without proper research."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"This is a precipitous step in the wrong direction," Mr. Boehner said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

This supposed civilisation beheads its victims and throws them down the precipitous steps of pyramids to appease bloodthirsty gods.

The Guardian - Film

The Pope passed through the narrow door and down the precipitous steps to the manger in safety.In Israel on his way to Nazareth and Mount Zion Pope Paul enjoyed a less hectic passage.

The Economist

"We really want to do it in concert with our friends and allies and not start taking immediate, precipitous steps, because there are some very sensitive issues here," he said.

The New York Times

11 p.m. 9. LOCAL SOUNDS For a taste of Dubrovnik's indigenous night life, descend precipitous stone steps into a sunken former quarantine barracks along the coast just east of the main port.

The New York Times - Travel

Clonque is not suited to very young families, because of the semi-independent nature of the sleeping quarters and the steep stone steps and precipitous drops all round.

The Guardian - Travel

OTTAWA -- Jim Balsillie and Mike Lazaridis, who made the BlackBerry a leading business tool but then presided over its precipitous decline, said they would step down on Monday as co-chairmen and co-chief executives of Research in Motion.

The New York Times

Steps needed to be taken to arrest that precipitous decline, embodied in the financial crisis of 2008.

Huffington Post

The information and the choices she must explain form a slippery, spiraling staircase, with every step posing questions of risk, hope, heartbreak, conscience — made even more precipitous because this second-trimester blood test is prone to false alarms.

The New York Times

GLM is locally quite smooth at most points in time, but has large precipitous jumps at certain time points because the yearly seasonal component is modeled as a step function, constant within months, but changing discontinuously from one month to the next.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

This is not only because of the magnitude of the charges at hand, but also because they brought about the precipitous resignation of America's most famous college football coach -- Joe Paterno -- who stepped down from his post one day before what would have been his last home game of his 46-year career.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "precipitous step" when you want to emphasize both the suddenness and the potential risk or negative consequences of an action. It is especially effective in formal or analytical writing.

Common error

Avoid using "precipitous step" in casual conversations or informal writing. The phrase's formality can sound out of place and stilted in less serious contexts. Alternatives like "quick move" or "sudden decision" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "precipitous step" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "precipitous" modifies the noun "step". It typically serves to describe an action or decision that is taken hastily and with potential negative consequences. As Ludwig AI highlights, it denotes a risky move.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "precipitous step" is a relatively rare but grammatically sound expression used to describe a sudden and potentially risky action. Primarily found in formal contexts like news and media, it serves to warn or critique a decision due to its haste and potential negative consequences. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is valid and effectively conveys a sense of a "risky move". When considering alternative phrases, options like "hasty action" or "rash move" can provide similar meanings with slightly different emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hasty action

Focuses more on the speed and less on the potential danger.

rash move

Emphasizes the lack of careful consideration.

sudden decision

Highlights the abruptness of the choice.

abrupt action

Similar to "sudden decision" but emphasizes the action itself.

drastic measure

Suggests a severe or extreme action being taken.

ill-considered move

Focuses on the lack of planning or thought behind the action.

unforeseen measure

Highlights the unexpectedness of the action.

impulsive act

Emphasizes the spontaneous nature of the action.

brash decision

Conveys a sense of boldness or audacity.

imprudent action

Highlights the lack of wisdom or caution.

FAQs

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

The phrase "precipitous step" is used to describe a sudden or hasty action that often involves risk or negative consequences. For example, "The company's decision to lay off a large portion of its workforce was seen as a "precipitous step"".

What are some alternatives to "precipitous step"?

Alternatives to "precipitous step" include "hasty action", "rash move", or "sudden decision", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "precipitous step"?

"Precipitous step" is best used in formal writing or analytical contexts where you want to emphasize both the suddenness and the potential danger or negative implications of an action. Using it in casual conversation might sound overly formal.

What's the difference between "precipitous step" and "drastic measure"?

While both phrases suggest a significant action, "precipitous step" emphasizes the suddenness and potential risk, while "drastic measure" focuses on the severity or extremity of the action taken. A "drastic measure" might not necessarily be sudden, and a "precipitous step" might not always be considered drastic, but the difference is subtle.