step down
Definition
- Verb (Phrasal Verb):
- To reduce the level, intensity, size, or scope of something: To make something less severe, powerful, or extensive.
- To resign or retire from a position of authority or responsibility: To formally leave a job or office, especially a high-ranking one.
Usage and Examples
Meaning: To reduce intensity or scope:
- The company decided to step down production due to decreased demand.
- After the emergency passed, the hospital stepped down its security measures.
Meaning: To resign from a position:
- The CEO stepped down after ten years of service.
- Facing public pressure, the minister was forced to step down.
Advanced Usage
- "to step down as [position]": Used to specify the role from which one is resigning.
- She stepped down as chairperson of the committee.
- "to step down in favor of [someone]": Used when resigning so that another specific person can take over.
- The founder stepped down in favor of a younger successor.
Variants and Related Words
- Step-down (noun/adjective): Can function as a noun meaning a reduction or decrease, or as an adjective describing something that reduces voltage or intensity.
- Noun: The agreement called for a step-down in military presence.
- Adjective: A step-down transformer is used to convert high voltage to a lower, safer level.
Synonyms
- For "reduce": De-escalate, diminish, lessen, scale back, wind down.
- For "resign": Resign, quit, leave office, stand down, bow out.
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Step aside: Very similar to the "resign" meaning, often implying moving out of the way for someone else.
- He stepped aside to allow new leadership to take over.
- Step back: To withdraw from involvement or a prominent position, often temporarily.
- She decided to step back from her managerial duties to focus on research.
Related Idioms
- Pass the baton: To hand over responsibility to someone else, often used in the context of stepping down from a leadership role.
- After a long career, he was ready to pass the baton and step down.
Verb
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reduce the level or intensity or size or scope of
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de-escalate a crisis
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give up or retire from a position
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The Secretary of the Navy will leave office next month
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The chairman resigned over the financial scandal
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