godan verb (-su), transitive verb
miss one's footing; lose one's step
Literal physical misstep, such as slipping off a stair or stepping off a path.
階段で踏み外して転びそうになった。
I missed my footing on the stairs and almost fell.
暗くて道を踏み外した。
It was dark and I stepped off the path.
godan verb (-su), transitive verb
go astray; stray from the right path
Figurative use: deviating from a proper course of action, morally or in life.
彼は人生の道を踏み外してしまった。
He strayed from the right path in life.