lockstep

lock·step

noun, often attributive \ˈläk-ˌstep\

: a way of marching in which people follow each other very closely

Full Definition of LOCKSTEP

1

:  a mode of marching in step by a body of persons going one after another as closely as possible

2

:  a standard method or procedure that is mindlessly adhered to or that minimizes individuality

— in lockstep

:  in perfect or rigid often mindless conformity or unison <politicians marching in lockstep with the party line>

Examples of LOCKSTEP

1. <followed the lockstep that had been in his family for generations: prep school, Ivy League university, job on Wall Street>

First Known Use of LOCKSTEP

circa 1802

Related to LOCKSTEP

Synonyms

drill, grind, groove, routine, pattern, rote, rut, treadmill

Related Words

daily dozen, regimen; housekeeping; custom, fashion, habit, practice (also practise), trick, wont; approach, manner, method, procedure, strategy, style, tack, technique, way; design, plan, program, scheme; convention, policy, tradition

Rhymes with LOCKSTEP

crowstep, doorstep, footstep, goose-step, half step, instep, in step, keep step, misstep, one-step, quickstep, route step, salep, sidestep, two-step, unstep, whole step