step forward vs step to the fore

step forward and step to the fore both are verbs.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
step forward	No	No	Yes	No
step to the fore	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, step forward and step to the fore are synonyms defined as:

Other synonyms of step forward include come forward, come out, come to the fore, step up.

step forward (verb)	step to the fore (verb)
make oneself visible; take action	make oneself visible; take action