a step up/down
idiom
: more/less important, challenging, etc., than something had before
The new job is a step up/down for her.
Examples of a step up/down in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The wide-legged palazzo pants are a step up from your average sweatpants but are equally comfortable.
—
Isis Briones, Travel + Leisure, 17 May 2025
But in the eyes of Wall Street traders, what looked like a worldwide trade war now primarily looks like a U.S.-China trade war — a step down that suggests further tariff easing down the line.
—Courtenay Brown, Axios, 9 Apr. 2025
In April, Nintendo announced the $449.99 Switch 2 console, a step up from the original $300 Switch, and also lifted the price of games.
—Jordan Novet, CNBC, 1 May 2025
Now 6-0 with the UFC, Pimblett looks to take a step up in competition against Chandler.
—Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 12 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for a step up/down
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Isis Briones, Travel + Leisure, 17 May 2025
But in the eyes of Wall Street traders, what looked like a worldwide trade war now primarily looks like a U.S.-China trade war — a step down that suggests further tariff easing down the line.
—Courtenay Brown, Axios, 9 Apr. 2025
In April, Nintendo announced the $449.99 Switch 2 console, a step up from the original $300 Switch, and also lifted the price of games.
—Jordan Novet, CNBC, 1 May 2025
Now 6-0 with the UFC, Pimblett looks to take a step up in competition against Chandler.
—Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 12 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for a step up/down
Cite this Entry
“A step up/down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/a%20step%20up%2Fdown. Accessed 25 May. 2025.
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