1. Literally, to take steps down from and off of something. Step off that table before you fall and crack your head open! I recognized her the moment she stepped off of the train.2. To achieve an approximate measurement of some distance by counting the number of steps it takes to traverse it. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "step" and "off." My foot is almost exactly 12 inches in length, so I can just step off the border of the fence and we"ll get a pretty close guess as to how long it needs to be. Step the width of this room off to see if the mattress will even fit in here.3. slang To stop interfering or involving oneself with someone or something; to get away from someone or something. Used almost exclusively as an imperative. Step off, man, this is none of your business. You"d better step off right now before I knock your lights out.See also: off, stepto measure a distance by counting the paces required to cover it. she stepped the distance off and noted it on her pad. Liz stepped off the number of feet from the window to the opposite wall.See also: off, stepto leave something elevated with one"s first step. (Of is usually retained before pronouns.) she stepped off the bottom step and walked down the street.