take it a step further

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "take it a step further" is a commonly used phrase in written English.
It is used to suggest progressing beyond something to a more advanced level. For example: "By taking his argument a step further, he was able to prove his point in a more convincing way."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Why not take it a step further?

The Guardian - Books

Now, we're trying to take it a step further.

The New York Times - Sports

MacDonald said: "I am going to take it a step further.

The New York Times - Sports

All I've done is say: 'Well, look, take it a step further.

The Guardian

Take it a step further and it becomes almost a hobby".

The New York Times

I tweeze my eyebrows -- why can't I take it a step further?

The New York Times - Magazine

Music naturally makes connections – we want to take it a step further.

The Guardian - Music

These Burton pants embrace the worn-denim trope but take it a step further.

The New York Times - Magazine

"You have to take what the composer puts on the page, interpret it and take it a step further.

The New York Times

Take it a step further.

Forbes

I would take it a step further.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "take it a step further" to encourage innovation or suggest building upon an existing idea. It's particularly effective in brainstorming sessions or when providing constructive feedback.

Common error

Don't use "take it a step further" when the context already implies advancement or progression. Ensure it adds a unique element of escalation or enhancement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take it a step further" functions as an idiomatic expression used to introduce an additional action or idea that enhances, extends, or escalates the previous one. Ludwig provides examples showing its use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "take it a step further" is a versatile idiom that serves to encourage advancement, enhancement, or escalation of a current idea or action. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across diverse contexts, as seen in the numerous examples from various sources. This phrase is commonly found in news and media, wiki articles, and formal business settings, indicating its adaptability and relevance across different communication styles. To enhance writing, it's important to use this phrase when genuinely intending to add a novel element of progression, and avoid redundancy. Alternative phrases such as "go the extra mile" or "move to the next level" can provide similar nuances depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

enhance it further

This suggests improving on something that is already good.

move to the next level

This indicates advancing to a more advanced stage.

take it up a notch

This suggests improving or enhancing something slightly.

go the extra mile

This alternative implies putting in more effort than is expected.

develop it more fully

This indicates expanding upon an idea or plan.

raise the bar

This suggests setting a higher standard or expectation.

expand on that idea

This means elaborating and offering more details.

up the ante

This conveys increasing the stakes or intensity of a situation.

push the envelope

This means exceeding the current limits or boundaries.

add a twist

This means adding something new or unexpected.

FAQs

How can I use "take it a step further" in a sentence?

You can use "take it a step further" to suggest expanding on an idea or action, like in the sentence: "We've improved customer service, but let's "take it a step further" by offering personalized support."

What does "take it a step further" mean?

"Take it a step further" means to advance beyond a current point, to improve or enhance something, or to escalate an action or idea.

What can I say instead of "take it a step further"?

Alternatives to "take it a step further" include "go the extra mile", "move to the next level", or "up the ante" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "took it a step further"?

Yes, "took it a step further" is the past tense form of the idiom and is grammatically correct. For instance, "After redesigning the website, they "took it a step further" by adding a mobile app."