PhrasesHub

One small step for man

    Definitions

      • encourage progress
        To emphasize the importance of taking small, incremental steps towards a goal or achievement

      • significant achievement
        To highlight a small action or accomplishment that has a great impact or significance

    Examples of One small step for man

    • Neil Armstrong's famous words as he become the first person to step onto the moon's surface can be interpreted as an example of the idiom "one small step for man" which means "a small achievement for an individual but a significant one for humanity."

      Neil Armstrong's statement, "One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind," conveyed the idea that although the act of taking a single step onto the moon's surface was a relatively minor accomplishment for Armstrong himself, it had a far-reaching and profound impact on humanity as a whole. The phrase "one small step" can be interpreted as a metaphor for any achievement that may be insignificant to the individual but has a significant impact on the world as a whole.

    • In 2018, a teenage girl from a remote village in Nepal made "one small step for man" when she became the first woman from her village to attend college.

      This example illustrates how an individual's small accomplishment can have a significant impact on their community or society. In this case, the girl's decision to pursue higher education not only opened doors for herself but also encouraged other women from her village to follow suit.

    • A small business owner's decision to switch to eco-friendly packaging materials can be considered a "one small step for man" towards a more sustainable future for the planet.

      This example shows how an individual's seemingly small actions can have a significant impact on the environment and society as a whole. By making a conscious choice to adopt more sustainable practices, the small business owner is contributing to a larger effort towards a more environmentally conscious and sustainable future.

    • A surgeon's successful treatment of a previously incurable disease can be considered a "one small step for man" towards finding a cure for the disease.

      This example demonstrates how small achievements in medical research can have a significant impact on society as a whole. While the surgeon's success may not have found a permanent cure for the disease, it represents a step towards that eventuality, and could inspire further research and development in the field.

    • Neil Armstrong's famous words as he became the first human to step on the moon are a perfect example of the idiom "one small step for man." While the actual phrase is "one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind," it can be simplified to just "one small step for man" when referring to a small achievement in the grand scheme of things.

      The phrase "one small step for man" is an idiom that means a small achievement or advancement in a larger or more significant endeavor. It implies that the achievement may not have a huge impact on its own, but when viewed in the context of the larger picture, it takes on greater significance. In the case of Neil Armstrong's remark, he was saying that the first step on the moon was a small step for him personally, but a giant leap for humanity as a whole. The phrase highlights the idea that progress often comes in small, incremental steps, but that these steps are necessary in achieving larger goals.

    • Neil Armstrong's iconic words as he stepped onto the moon's surface in 1969, "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind," brought about a significant moment in human history. This expression, known as the "one small step for man" idiom, refers to achieving a small but consequential progress towards a significant goal.

      The idiom "one small step for man" represents the idea that a seemingly insignificant action or achievement, when part of a larger mission, can result in a significant impact. In the case of Armstrong's statement, "one small step for man" refers to his first step onto the moon's surface, a small action compared to the larger goal of the Apollo mission's success. The phrase "one giant leap for mankind" further emphasizes the magnitude of the accomplishment for humanity as a whole.

    • During a job interview, the interviewer asked the candidate, "Can you give us an example of a time when you took a 'one small step for man'' in your previous job role?" The candidate responded, "Sure. When I was working at XYZ corporation, I noticed that our sales team was struggling to meet their targets. I suggested implementing a new CRM system, which seemed like a small change at the time, but it led to a significant increase in sales, resulting in a considerable boost in revenue for the company. That was one small step for us, but it helped our team to take a giant leap towards achieving our sales goals."

      In this context, the candidate's implementation of a new CRM system could be seen as a "one small step for man" because it seemed like a minor change in the grand scheme of things. However, it had a significant and positive impact on the company's bottom line, demonstrating how seemingly small changes can lead to significant outcomes.

    • In a scientific study, the researchers mentioned that their analysis could be termed as a "one small step for man" because while it didn't produce groundbreaking results, it provided regulators with a better understanding of the subject matter, leading them to take "a giant leap" towards making informed decisions.

      Here, "one small step for man" refers to the researchers' findings, which while not entirely novel, contributed to the broader scientific community's knowledge, thus moving humanity as a whole closer to making informed decisions about the subject matter.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "one small step for man" can be used to encourage progress and emphasize the importance of taking small, incremental steps towards a goal. It can also be used to highlight a small action or accomplishment that has a great impact or significance. In both cases, the idiom serves to emphasize the value of small steps and their potential to lead to significant achievements.

    Origin of "One small step for man"

    The origin of the idiom "one small step for man" can be traced back to the historic moment when astronaut Neil Armstrong became the first person to set foot on the moon on July 20, 1969. As he took his first step onto the lunar surface, Armstrong famously stated, "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." This iconic phrase has since become a symbol of human achievement and the potential for great progress through small, incremental steps. The idiom has been widely used to inspire and motivate individuals to take small but meaningful actions towards their goals, reflecting the powerful impact of Armstrong's historic words.