A proverb advising one to step back and show respect to one's teacher so as not to undermine their authority — a variant of the 'three feet back' expression.
礼儀の話になると年配の人は『三歩下がって師の影を踏まず』とよく言った。
When it comes to manners, older people often said, 'step back three paces and do not step on the teacher's shadow.'
若い職員はときに主張を抑え、『三歩下がって師の影を踏まず』の姿勢を取ることが期待される場面もある。
Young staff are sometimes expected to hold back and adopt an attitude of 'step back three paces and do not step on the teacher's shadow.'