step down

present singular third person steps down · participle present stepping down · participle past stepped down · past stepped down

1. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see step, down.

   to step down carefully from a train

2. idiomaticintransitiveTo resign or retire from an office or position of authority.

   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".

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

   1 more example

   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.

   2011 December 14, Angelique Chrisafis, “Rachida Dati accuses French PM of sexism and elitism”, in The Guardian, archived from the original on 02 Jun 2022

   Synonyms: abdicate

3. figurativelytransitiveTo reduce gradually or incrementally.