A more thorough explanation:

Definition: The courthouse steps refer to the figurative location where settlement negotiations take place shortly before a trial begins, regardless of the actual location of the negotiations. For example, if two parties are involved in a lawsuit, they may settle the case on the courthouse steps just before the trial begins.

Example: The two parties involved in the lawsuit decided to settle the case on the courthouse steps just before the trial was set to begin. This means that they came to an agreement on the terms of the settlement while standing outside the courthouse, rather than in a formal negotiation room or office.

Explanation: The term "courthouse steps" is used figuratively to describe the location where settlement negotiations take place. Even if the actual negotiations occur in a different location, such as a conference room or office, the term "courthouse steps" is still used to refer to the timing and context of the negotiations. The example illustrates how two parties can come to an agreement on the terms of a settlement while standing outside the courthouse, just before the trial begins.