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step down meaning and examples

2025-10-02

Meaning

  • Step down means to resign or leave an important position, especially one of power, responsibility, or authority.
  • It can also mean to reduce intensity, power, or level in certain contexts (e.g., machinery or electrical usage).

Grammar and Usage

  • Phrasal verb

  • Usually intransitive (does not take a direct object).

  • Structure:

    • step down (from a position/role)
    • step down as [title]

Examples:

  • She stepped down from her role as CEO.
  • He announced he would step down as chairman.

Common Phrases

  • Step down from office – resign from an official role.
  • Step down as CEO/manager/president – leave a leadership position.
  • Step down gracefully – resign in a respectful, dignified manner.

Collocations

  • step down from a position
  • step down as leader
  • announce to step down
  • forced to step down
  • decide to step down

Examples

  1. The president decided to step down after ten years in office.
  2. She will step down as chairperson at the end of the year.
  3. He was pressured to step down from the board due to the scandal.
  4. After the merger, several executives chose to step down.
  5. The coach announced he would step down after the season.
  6. The director promised to step down gracefully once a successor was chosen.
  7. He refused to step down, despite calls from the public.
  8. The minister finally agreed to step down from his position.
  • resign
  • quit
  • retire
  • stand down (British English)
  • give up a position

Antonym

  • take office
  • assume a role
  • step up (to take responsibility)