How dancers learn gradually? (4,2,4)

I believe the answer is:

step by step

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'gradually?' is the definition.
(I know that gradually can be written as step by step)

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for step by step that I've seen before include "advance via stair" , "climb ladder thus" , "Gradually" , "Incrementally" , "A bit at a time" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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