61 Motion: taking steps

A

B

C

D 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.

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.

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).

61.1

61.2

61.3

61.4

61.5

61.6

The walking verb in each of these sentences is incorrect. Which verb would be a better choice for each sentence? Look at A to help you.

1 The old man strutted wearily homeward, his shoulders hunched in the rain. 2 The mother trudged across the bedroom, doing her best not to wake the baby. 3 Look at all those baby rabbits stamping across the field! 4 Ever since he had an accident last year, he has stamped a bit. 5 The drunken men strode unsteadily out of the pub at closing time. 6 Please try not to stumble on the daisies – they look so pretty in the grass. 7 The small dog tramped after the postman and caught his trouser leg in his teeth. 8 The sea was so rough that even the sailors were tiptoeing around the decks.

Answer these questions about the sentences in B opposite.

1 How successful and enjoyable was the maths lesson? 2 Did Miguel’s business come to a sudden end? 3 Did people expect Lisa to do so well in her exams? 4 Does the government seem to take each crisis smoothly and purposefully? 5 What kind of person do you think Maria is? 6 What do parents and teachers do to children’s dreams if they trample on them? 7 How exactly might this person chase the Campbells? 8 How confident were Theo’s first attempts at writing?

Look at the water words in each of the example sentences in C. What does the word suggest about the way the people in those sentences are moving?

Complete these sentences with a word from C, using the appropriate form.

1 The new traffic system allows vehicles to across the city without major disruptions. 2 There were such a lot of people at the talk that some were out into the corridor. 3 When I have a day off, I like to around town without a care in the world. 4 We expected to be very busy during the sale, but there was just a of people throughout the day. 5 As soon as the gates opened, people started into the football stadium. (Give two answers.)

Here are some more verbs of movement. Complete a table for them like the one in A opposite. Use a dictionary if necessary.

verb file saunter sidle glide mill around type of movement reason for type of movement

Which of the verbs in exercise 61.5 would these people probably do?

1 graceful dancers 2 guests at a cocktail party 3 schoolchildren going into a classroom 4 someone who is irritatingly anxious to make you like them 5 tourists exploring a city in a relaxed way