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. (idiomatic, intransitive, or transitive with a) to give way or step aside

   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.”)