lockstep
UK[ˈlɒkstep]US[ˈlɑːkstep]
n
a way of marching in which soldiers walk as close together as possible, each moving their leg at exactly the same time as the person beside them
n
a situation in which two or more things or people are so closely connected or dependent that they must change or act together
Morpheme Breakdown
lock
step
lock
step
Etymology
the word 'lockstep' is a transparent english compound formed from two native germanic roots. the term originated in a military context during the early 19th century, specifically describing a marching style where soldiers moved in such close unison that their steps appeared to be physically locked together. the literal image of interlocked steps ('lock' + 'step') perfectly captures the rigid synchronization and lack of individual variation. this concrete military sense provided a powerful metaphor, which by the mid-20th century had extended into broader usage to describe any situation where entities follow an identical course in perfect, often inflexible, coordination.
Analysis
Structure: lock + step
- lock (old english): from old english 'loc', meaning a fastening or enclosure. in this compound, it functions to convey the sense of being fixed together or interlocked.
- step (old english): from old english 'stæpe' or 'stepe', meaning a pace or footstep. it functions as the core noun denoting the act of walking.
Examples
the recruits practiced marching in lockstep across the parade ground.
the two nations' economies moved in lockstep, with one's recession immediately affecting the other.
she refused to follow the company's policies in lockstep and proposed several innovative alternatives.