baby step
Smallest forward motion
A baby step is a small, cautious advance—the kind a toddler takes when learning to walk.
The phrase usually appears in contexts of gradual progress: We're taking baby steps toward reconciliation.
It can be dismissive, suggesting inadequate effort: That policy is just a baby step when we need real change.
- infantVery young child
- crawlMove slowly, low
- gradualDeveloping slowly over time
- incrementalProceeding by small additions
- little by littleIn small increments
inch by inch · slow and steady · trial-and-error · foothold · initial · tentative · confidence-building · foundation · piecemeal · procedure · groundwork · microtask · minuscule · toddler · starting point · habit formation · growth · walking
baby stepgiant leap
Very large jump
quantum leap · leap · revolution · radical change · bound
baby stepleap of faith
Trust without verification
plunge · bold move · gamble · all-in · going for broke
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