cedere il passo

Italian

Alternative forms

• dare il passo (rare)

Etymology

Literally, “to cede the stride”. Compare French céder le pas.

Verb

cèdere il passo (first-person singular present cèdo il passo, first-person singular past historic cedétti il passo or (traditional) cedètti il passo, past participle cedùto il passo, auxiliary avére)

1. (intransitive) to give way or step aside [with a ‘someone’]

   Synonym: dare la precedenza

   • 2019, George Orwell, translated by Nicola Gardini, Nineteen Eighty-Four, Mondadori:

     Il giovane ufficiale entrò e, spostandosi, cedette il passo a una guardia bassa e tozza, che aveva braccia e spalle possenti.

     As the young officer entered and stepped aside, there emerged from behind him a short stumpy guard with enormous arms and shoulders.

     (literally, “The young officer entered and, moving himself, gave way to a short stumpy guard, who had powerful arms and shoulders.”)