took a big step

USAGE SUMMARY

"took a big step" is a perfectly acceptable and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to describe someone making a significant decision or taking an action that moves them toward a goal. For example: "After months of preparation, they finally took a big step and launched their product."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We took a big step today.

The New York Times

Casey took a big step Thursday.

The New York Times - Sports

Our team took a big step forward".

The New York Times - Sports

The Jets took a big step in winning the A.F.C.

The New York Times - Sports

"Tonight, we took a big step," Ewing said.

The New York Times - Sports

But today it took a big step in the right direction.

The New Yorker

But he took a big step toward that goal on Saturday.

The New York Times - Sports

At last, on June 8th, it took a big step towards doing so.

The Economist

He took a big step on Tuesday by defeating four other candidates in a Republican primary.

The New York Times

And Butler took a big step backward in his sophomore season.

The New York Times - Sports

On Wednesday, Mr. Salazar took a big step toward creating a more transparent and responsible agency.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "took a big step" to highlight a tangible action or decision that significantly contributes to achieving a larger goal. This emphasizes proactive progress.

Common error

Avoid using "took a big step" for minor or incremental improvements. Reserve this phrase for actions that truly represent substantial progress.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "took a big step" functions as a verb phrase, indicating that someone or something has performed an action that represents significant progress or advancement. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is perfectly acceptable and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Sports

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "took a big step" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe significant progress or advancement. Ludwig AI states that it's perfectly usable in English. It is used across various contexts, particularly in news, sports, and business. Related phrases include "made significant progress" and "advanced considerably". While widely applicable, ensure the described action truly warrants the phrase's emphasis on substantial progress. It's important to differentiate it from simply "making an effort", as the former implies tangible and noticeable results.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

made significant progress

Focuses on the progress achieved rather than the action taken.

advanced considerably

Emphasizes the degree of advancement made.

achieved a breakthrough

Highlights a sudden, significant advance.

moved forward significantly

Stresses the forward movement and its importance.

made a leap

Suggests a sudden and substantial advancement.

turned a corner

Implies a positive change in direction or approach.

gained significant ground

Highlights the advancement made in relation to a goal or competitor.

crossed a threshold

Focuses on passing a critical point or boundary.

reached a milestone

Emphasizes the achievement of a significant event in a process.

propelled ahead

Highlights a forceful and rapid advancement.

FAQs

How can I use "took a big step" in a sentence?

You can use "took a big step" to describe a significant action or advancement, as in "The company "took a big step" by launching its new product line".

What are some alternatives to "took a big step"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "made significant progress", "advanced considerably", or "achieved a breakthrough".

Is it always appropriate to use "took a big step"?

While generally acceptable, ensure that the action you're describing truly represents substantial progress. Overusing it for minor advancements can dilute its impact.

What's the difference between "took a big step" and "made an effort"?

"Took a big step" implies a significant action with noticeable results, whereas "made an effort" simply indicates an attempt, regardless of the outcome. Thus, "took a big step" suggests tangible advancement.