138. The first step in solving this meaning shortage is to figure out what you really care about, and then do something about it.
译文
要从这样缺乏意义的生活中解脱，第一步就是，明白你真正关心的是什么，然后朝那个方向努力。
点睛
本句的主干是the first step is to figure out...and then do...其中，in solving this meaning shortage用来修饰step；what引导的宾语从句作figure out的宾语。
figure out意为“算出，想出；理解；解决”。如：
I can't figure out why he is absent. 我弄不明白他为什么缺席。
本句中的step为名词，意为“步骤，措施”；此外，step还可以作动词，意为“踏（进），跨（入）；以步测量”。如：
She stepped on a loose stone and twisted her ankle. 她踩在一块松动的石头上，扭伤了脚踝。
考点归纳
与step有关的短语有：
step aside意为“让位”。如：
It's time for me to step aside and let a younger person become the chairman. 我该把主席的位子让给更年轻的人了。
step on意为“快走；加速（尤指开车时）”。如：
You'll be late if you don't step on it. 你要是不加快步伐就要迟到了。
step in意为“干预（以帮助或阻止某人／某事物）”。如：
Please don't step in his private business. 请不要干预他的私事。
