means

stairs

step ②grade ③dan (degree of advanced proficiency in martial arts, go, shogi, etc.) ④paragraph ⑤column (of print) ⑥row of the multiplication table (e.g. five times table) ⑦counter for breaks in written language or speech

usual ②usually

stage ②level ③order ④stairs

price

even more ②one step ③one paragraph ④ichidan (verb, verb conjugation)

last resort

program

on a routine basis

dramatic (improvement) ②(far) better

trying to think of a way (to do) ②contriving (to raise money)

final stage

reaching a stopping place ②one paragraph

lower tier ②low position (of a sword in kendo, etc.)

several steps ②much (better, higher, etc.)

emergency staircase

third stage ②third dan (in martial arts, go, shogi, etc.)

upper tier ②place of honor ③dais ④overhead position (of a sword in kendo, etc.)

wildly different (in ability, strength, etc.) ②of different heights