To Step On
To Tread On
transitive verb, godan verb
Because the hiragana ends with an う sound, you know this word is a verb. The kanji itself means step and the verb vocab version is to step on. So, not quite "to step" like you might expect, but at least you're stepping still, though it's on something.
You want to step on that bug? You fool (ふ)! That's a killer shoe stabbing bug, it will cut right through your sole and poison you via your foot! Fool!
うわぁ！うんこ踏んじゃったの？きもーい。
Eww! Did you step in poop! Yuck!
希望と不安が交互に胸をよぎったが、不安のあとにはいつも、かすかな光が残った。彼はその光を信じて、一歩を踏み出した。
Hope and anxiety took turns crossing his heart, yet after each wave of doubt, a faint light remained. Trusting that light, he took a step forward.