step down

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step down (third-person singular simple present steps down, present participle stepping down, simple past and past participle stepped down)

1. (idiomatic) To resign from office; to abdicate.

   Coordinate term: step aside

   • 2011 December 14, Angelique Chrisafis, “Rachida Dati accuses French PM of sexism and elitism”, in Guardian‎^[1]:

     She now wants to be a Paris MP. But Fillon wants the same Paris seat when he steps down, after next year's election. Both have their eye on the main prize: running for Paris mayor in 2014.

   • 2022 September 21, Mel Holley, “MPs debate Avanti West Coast future as MD departs”, in RAIL, number 966, page 14:

     Late on the previous Friday (September 2), AWC had announced that Managing Director Phil Whittingham "has decided to step down with effect from September 15".

2. To gradually reduce something.

• stew pond, stewpond, downstep