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
Under development since 2016, DAVD is a step up from the video cameras that divers often carry.
—
David Szondy, New Atlas, 27 Jan. 2025
Community corrections consists of residential facilities, better known as halfway houses, that are a step down from jail or prison.
—Shelly Bradbury, The Denver Post, 26 Jan. 2025
Flaherty is a step down from Fried but a step up from Morton.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 25 Jan. 2025
Such a step down seems to suggest that the bestseller will continue to find space on the list for at least another week or two, if not more.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for a step up/down 
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David Szondy, New Atlas, 27 Jan. 2025
Community corrections consists of residential facilities, better known as halfway houses, that are a step down from jail or prison.
—Shelly Bradbury, The Denver Post, 26 Jan. 2025
Flaherty is a step down from Fried but a step up from Morton.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 25 Jan. 2025
Such a step down seems to suggest that the bestseller will continue to find space on the list for at least another week or two, if not more.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for a step up/down
Dictionary Entries Near 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 7 Feb. 2025.
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