段 step / stairs

Glen DANzig throws Foolio down a flight of stairs for making fun of Danzig's new-age synthesizer band,Black Aria .

stairway ★★★★★
階 (story of a building) + 段 (step / stairs) = 階段 (stairway)

under normal circumstances ★★★☆☆
普 (normal) + 段 (step / stairs) = 普段 (under normal circumstances)

step/phase ★★☆☆☆
段 (step / stairs) + 階 (story of a building) = 段階 (step/phase)

a step in a process. A measure, as in "We're taking steps to reduce your mother's underarm emanations." Also a palindrome of stairway!

second step ★☆☆☆☆
第 (rank or number in series) + 二 (two) + 段 (step / stairs) = 第二段 (second step )

the second step (in a plan for world domination)