A ‣ Verbs of movement

B ‣ Metaphorical examples of motion

The maths lesson limped to a conclusion and everyone thankfully left the room.

Let’s hop off the bus at the next stop. [quickly get off]

Miguel’s business staggered on for a few years and then finally collapsed.

Lisa did staggeringly well in her exams. [amazingly]

The government has lurched from one economic crisis to the next.

Maria takes everything that life throws at her in her stride. [takes … calmly]

Parents and teachers should try not to trample on children’s dreams.

If the Campbells don’t pay their bill this week, you’ll have to chase them.

After several stumbling attempts at writing, Theo finally had a poem published.

C ‣ People and water move in similar ways

Crowds of tourists flowed across the square all day long.

As soon as the school doors opened, children spilled out into the playground.

People streamed into the lecture hall and soon there was standing room only.

People have been pouring into the exhibition all day.

A trickle of people appeared outside and by midday a crowd had gathered.

We meandered round the town, window shopping to our hearts’ content.

Refugees have been flooding across the border since the start of the war.

D ‣ Taking steps

When you walk you take (foot)steps. Here are some adjectives often used with taking (a) step(s) in a metaphorical context: backward     big     critical     decisive     first     giant     major     significant     unprecedented [never having happened before]