take things a step further

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'take things a step further' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a situation where you want to go beyond what has already been done, or to suggest that something should be done in a more proactive way. For example: "The candidate has the necessary qualifications, so let's take things a step further and have them come in for an interview."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

Energy drinks take things a step further by adding stimulants.

The New York Times - Health

Dubai and Bahrain, with their ladies' nights and go-go shows, take things a step further.

The Economist

With Tesco, you can take things a step further if you download the If This Then That app and link it to your shopping basket.

The Guardian - Money

"When we've finished the Boulders and tweaked our two other Golden Door resorts, we'll take things a step further," said Fred Kleisner, C.E.O. of Wyndham International.

The New York Times - Travel

Clearly demonstrators take things a step further when they actually attack a McDonald's outlet as if it were a de facto corporate viceroy.

The New York Times

As disciplined readers struggle to keep their books shelved, the most orderly take things a step further and arrange their books by room.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

Mr. Stein takes things a step further, though.

The New York Times

But Slater takes things a step further.

The New York Times

Stonyfield Farm has taken things a step further.

The New York Times - Food

But Eagleman, as usual, took things a step further.

The New Yorker

But this would be taking things a step further.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "take things a step further" to introduce an action that enhances, extends, or intensifies a previous action or situation.

Common error

Avoid using "take things a step further" repeatedly in close proximity, as it can make your writing sound repetitive. Opt for synonyms or rephrase to maintain variety and engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take things a step further" functions as a connector or transitional phrase. It introduces an action or idea that builds upon a previous one, indicating advancement or intensification. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is grammatically sound and contextually appropriate.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "take things a step further" is a common and versatile expression used to indicate the advancement or enhancement of an existing action, idea, or situation. As highlighted by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically sound and appropriate for a wide range of contexts. It is most frequently found in news and media, but also appears in science, wiki, and even formal business settings. While effective, overuse should be avoided by considering related phrases such as "move to the next level" or "develop it further" for variety. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase functions as a connector, signaling progression towards a more comprehensive or advanced outcome.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

move to the next level

Implies progression to a higher stage or degree; often used in a metaphorical sense.

develop it further

Emphasizes the continued development of something already in progress.

advance the matter

Focuses on moving a specific issue or situation forward; more formal.

improve upon that

Highlights making something better than it already is, focusing on enhancement.

expand on that

Suggests providing more details or elaborating on a previous statement or action.

surpass expectations

Indicates exceeding what was anticipated or hoped for.

go above and beyond

Indicates exceeding expectations or doing more than is required; implies extra effort.

to go the extra mile

Similar to "go above and beyond", but emphasizes the willingness to do more than necessary.

push the envelope

Suggests challenging boundaries or limits; more informal.

raise the bar

Focuses on setting a higher standard or expectation for performance.

FAQs

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

Use "take things a step further" to suggest an action that goes beyond what has already been done, such as, "After implementing the new marketing strategy, we plan to "take things a step further" by personalizing customer experiences."

What does "take things a step further" mean?

The phrase "take things a step further" means to advance or enhance a situation, idea, or action beyond its current state, often to achieve a more significant or improved outcome.

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

You can use alternatives like "develop it further", "move to the next level", or "go above and beyond" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "take things a step further" in formal writing?

While "take things a step further" is generally acceptable in most contexts, for highly formal writing, you might consider more sophisticated alternatives like "advance the matter" or "improve upon that" to maintain a more professional tone.