baby steps
Tiny forward movements
Baby steps are small, cautious movements forward—literally the tentative steps of a toddler learning to walk.
The phrase almost always appears figuratively for incremental progress toward a goal: We're making baby steps on the budget negotiations.
The implication is that progress is slow but real, or that caution is warranted when stakes are high.
Proceeding by small additions
- smallLimited in size
- slowLacking in speed
- measuredCarefully considered, unhurried
- tentativeUncertain and provisional
cautious · careful · steady · progressive · stepwise · piecemeal · bit-by-bit · manageable
Child learning to walk
- infantVery young child
- crawlingMoving on hands, knees
- walkingLocomotion on foot
- learningGaining knowledge gradually
developmental · milestones · wobbling · stumbling · tottering · nursery · playpen · cruising
Forward movement or promotion
- improvementPositive change in quality
- headwayForward progress achieved
- forwardOnward in direction
- movementChange in position
momentum · gains · strides · milestones · breakthrough · development · evolution · growth
Sustained resolve despite obstacles
- persistenceContinuing despite difficulty
- enduranceSustained effort capacity
- toleranceWillingness to accept difference
- steadinessState of being constant
consistency · determination · resilience · fortitude · composure · restraint · encouragement · support
Recovery from injury/addiction
- therapyCurative mental treatment
- healingRestoration of health
- recuperationGradual return to health
- convalescencePost-illness healing phase
rebuilding · restoration · physiotherapy · relearning · regaining · strengthening · mobility · independence
incremental
Proceeding by small additions
tentative · cautious · careful · steady · progressive · stepwise · piecemeal · bit-by-bit · manageable · modest
toddler
Child learning to walk
learning · developmental · milestones · wobbling · stumbling · tottering · nursery · playpen · cruising · standing
advancement
Forward movement or promotion
- improvementPositive change in quality
- headwayForward progress achieved
- forwardOnward in direction
movement · momentum · gains · strides · milestones · breakthrough · development · evolution · growth · learning
perseverance
Sustained resolve despite obstacles
- persistenceContinuing despite difficulty
- enduranceSustained effort capacity
- toleranceWillingness to accept difference
steadiness · consistency · determination · resilience · fortitude · composure · restraint · encouragement · support · gentleness
rehabilitation
Recovery from injury/addiction
- therapyCurative mental treatment
- healingRestoration of health
- recuperationGradual return to health
convalescence · rebuilding · restoration · physiotherapy · relearning · regaining · strengthening · mobility · independence · wellness
- youth sayingsfountain of youth, salad days, spring chicken, tender age, young at heart
- Testing the watersprobing, easing in, tiptoeing, trial balloon, trial run
- encouragementencourage, encouraging, praises, hang in there, supports
- family memorieshome videos, home movies, photo album, scrapbook, vacation photos
- Playing it safecaution, prudence, waiting, hesitation, restraint
- gradual progressinching, crawling, creeping, steady growth, small wins
baby stepsquantum leaps
Abrupt, dramatic advances
leaps and bounds · sea change · paradigm shift · revolution · exponential growth
baby stepsbold moves
going for broke · betting the farm · sink or swim · throwing caution to the wind · calculated risk