goose step

¹

noun

1. a marching step of some infantries in which the legs are swung high and kept straight and stiff.
2. a military exercise in which the body is balanced on one foot, without advancing, while the other foot is swung forward and back.

goose-step

²

[ goos-step ]

verb (used without object)

, goose-stepped, goose-step·ping.

1. to march in a goose step:

   Troops goose-stepped past the reviewing stand.

goose step

noun

1. a military march step in which the leg is swung rigidly to an exaggerated height, esp as in the German army in the Third Reich
2. an abnormal gait in animals

verb

1. intr to march in goose step

goose step

1. A straight-legged style of military marching used by the armies of several nations, but associated particularly with the army of Germany under the Nazis .

Notes

The term is sometimes used to suggest the unthinking loyalty of followers or soldiers: “Brown has a goose-step mentality.”

Other Words From

• goose-stepper noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of goose step¹

First recorded in 1800–10

Origin of goose step²

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

But fascism does not just come in a uniform and boots, marching in goose step.

From New York Times

Soldiers marched in goose step under a red arch emblazoned with the hammer and sickle as cannons fired 100 rounds.

From Los Angeles Times

In mid-April, Hong Kong authorities marked “National Security Education Day,” with school activities, games and shows, and a parade by police and other services performing the Chinese military’s “goose step” march.

From Reuters

The goose step is also used by North Korea and was performed by the military in Nazi Germany.

From Washington Post

He has consistently refused to repudiate white supremacists, which has put a spring in their goose step.

From Washington Post