step off the bus

USAGE SUMMARY

"step off the bus" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to physically exit a bus by taking a step off of it. Example: As I stepped off the bus, I took in the sights and sounds of the bustling city.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Campers are divested of iPods, cellphones and other battery-operated paraphernalia the instant they step off the bus, a sometimes tearful process.

The New York Times

Then, as Peake and his crewmates Yuri Malenchenko and US astronaut Tim Kopra step off the bus that will take them to their Soyuz rocket, they will take part in one last Gagarin-based ceremony.

The Guardian

They step off the bus and are ushered into a communal building, a school perhaps, where some local residents (elected, selected, or just pushy) explain the problems they are facing.

The Guardian

If it had been my son who was killed in Iraq, if that bullet had been a foot or so in the other direction, could I have come to this parking lot to welcome home these young men, to see them step off the bus into the long embraces and tears of relief from their mothers?

The New York Times

The driver, Mahmoud Taha Ahmed Seweilam, 54, who worked for the Arab Contractors Company for more than 20 years, stopped his bus around 8 a.m. in a Cairo suburb, pulled a machine gun from under his seat and asked two employees to step off the bus, where he shot them, the authorities said.

The New York Times

British film-maker Sean Ellis, clearly energised by a change of scene, plunges us into this chaotic world at street level, piling the hardships of urban life upon a hopeful young farmer and his wife from the moment they step off the bus.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Paul stepped off the bus and was welcomed back by Habitat for Humanity officials and volunteers.

The New York Times - Sports

The pelican, he sees as he steps off the bus, has landed on the corner of the roof of Receiving.

The New Yorker

*Coaches in many sports often talk about teams that can intimidate opponents just by stepping off the bus.

The New York Times

He steps off the bus and on to a gritty, lonesome highway surrounded on both sides by farmland.

The Guardian - Film

In forcing us into instant intimacy with its guileless heroine, "Roadkill" makes us feel personally responsible for what happens to Mary once she steps off the bus and into a town house in Clinton Hill.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "step off the bus" to vividly describe a character's arrival at a new location or the start of a journey.

Common error

Avoid using "step off the bus" metaphorically when you intend to describe a more abstract departure. Stick to the literal meaning of physically exiting a bus to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "step off the bus" primarily functions as a verbal phrase describing the action of disembarking from a bus. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in narratives and descriptive contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "step off the bus" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe the act of exiting a bus. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, as well as in informal writing, it serves to narrate or describe a physical action, often signaling a new beginning or arrival. While "step off the bus" is generally neutral in register, it's important to maintain the literal meaning and avoid metaphorical extensions unless context clearly supports it. Alternatives like "get off the bus" or "alight from the bus" can be used depending on the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get off the bus

A simpler and more common way to express the same action of leaving the bus.

get out of the bus

Highlights the action of moving from inside to outside the bus.

alight from the bus

Uses a more formal verb, "alight", to mean getting off the bus.

descend from the bus

Emphasizes the downward movement when exiting the bus.

disembark from the bus

A more formal and less frequent term for exiting a bus.

deboard the bus

Similar to 'disembark', but slightly less formal.

exit the bus

Focuses on the action of leaving the bus, less specific about the manner.

leave the bus

A general way to indicate departing from the bus.

debus

A concise, though less common, verb meaning to get off a bus.

detrain

Although usually used for trains, it implies a similar action of exiting a vehicle.

FAQs

What does "step off the bus" mean?

The phrase "step off the bus" means to physically exit a bus by taking a step down from it. It's a literal description of someone disembarking.

What is another way to say "step off the bus"?

You can use alternatives like "get off the bus", "alight from the bus", or "disembark from the bus" depending on the context and level of formality.

Is it correct to say "step off of the bus"?

While grammatically not incorrect, "step off of the bus" is less common and sounds slightly less natural than the more concise and widely accepted "step off the bus".

Can "step off the bus" be used metaphorically?

While primarily literal, "step off the bus" can sometimes be used metaphorically to imply a significant departure or change in direction, though this usage is less common than its literal meaning. Consider alternatives like "leave the situation" or "change direction" for abstract contexts.