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Motion: taking steps A
B
Verbs of movement verb
type of movement
reasons for type of movement
limp
uneven
one leg hurts
hop
on one foot, quickly
not using one foot
stagger
unsteady
drunk, ill
stumble
nearly falling
uneven surface
lurch
sudden or irregular
drunk, ill, walking on moving ship, etc.
tiptoe
quiet and on toes
not to be heard
amble
easy, gentle
pleasure or relaxation, no special aim
stride
long steps
purposeful
strut
proud, chest held out
to look important
tramp
firm, heavy steps
walking for a long time
trample
pressing repeatedly with feet
often, wishing to destroy
stamp
pushing foot down heavily
anger, or just heavy-footed
trudge
heavy, slow, with difficulty
tired
chase
quickly
wanting to catch something or someone
Metaphorical examples of motion The maths lesson limped to a conclusion and everyone thankfully left the room. Let’s hop off the bus at the next stop. [quickly get off] Miguel’s business staggered on for a few years and then finally collapsed. Lisa did staggeringly well in her exams. [amazingly] The government has lurched from one economic crisis to the next. Maria takes everything that life throws at her in her stride. [takes … calmly] Parents and teachers should try not to trample on children’s dreams. If the Campbells don’t pay their bill this week, you’ll have to chase them. After several stumbling attempts at writing, Theo finally had a poem published.
C
People and water move in similar ways Crowds of tourists flowed across the square all day long. As soon as the school doors opened, children spilled out into the playground. People streamed into the lecture hall and soon there was standing room only. People have been pouring into the exhibition all day. A trickle of people appeared outside and by midday a crowd had gathered. We meandered round the town, window shopping to our hearts’ content. Refugees have been flooding across the border since the start of the war.
D
Taking steps When you walk you take (foot)steps. Here are some adjectives often used with taking (a) step(s) in a metaphorical context: backward big critical decisive first giant major significant unprecedented [never having happened before]
Common mistakes When talking metaphorically, people take backward/decisive, etc. steps (NOT footsteps).
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English Vocabulary in Use Advanced
