noun
half step; half a step
A small step, literally half of a normal step. Often used figuratively to mean a small amount of progress or a slight move.
彼は半歩後ろに下がった。
He took half a step back.
目標に向かって半歩ずつでも進みたい。
I want to move forward, even if it's just half a step at a time, toward my goal.