1 A2 neutral
To move from a surface, vehicle, or platform by taking a step.
"He stepped off the bus just as it started to rain."
inseparable
step off
B1 neutral inseparable intransitive
To move from a surface, vehicle, or platform by stepping; or (slang) to back off or stop bothering someone.
In plain English
Get off something you are standing on, like a bus or stage; or (slang) leave someone alone.
What does "step off" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 idiomatic slang
(Slang) To back off, stop interfering, or leave someone alone; used as a command.
"I told him to step off — I didn't want his advice."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To take a step away from a surface or elevated area.
Actually means
Get off something you are standing on, like a bus or stage; or (slang) leave someone alone.
Usage tip
The literal sense is standard and widely used. The slang sense ('step off!') is primarily African-American Vernacular English (AAVE) and urban American slang, meaning 'leave me alone' or 'back down'. It can sound aggressive depending on context.
Words that pair with "step off"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
bus train platform stage curb ledge
How to conjugate "step off"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
step off
I/you/we/they
3rd person
steps off
he/she/it
Past simple
steped off
yesterday
Past participle
steped off
have + pp
-ing form
steping off
continuous
Hear "step off" in the wild
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Other ways to say "step off"
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