English Reference
Idiom idiom

step down


To resign or retire from an office or position of authority.

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


SIMPLE

The manager decided to step down after many years.

CONTEXTUAL

After the company lost a lot of money, the chief executive officer announced he would step down from his position.

COMPLEX

Facing mounting pressure from the board of directors, the long-serving chairman chose to step down, effectively ending his influential tenure at the firm.


Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    baby step

    A small effort made towards the completion of a much larger task.

  2. 02

    one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind

    (used imitatively) A cliché used to exaggerate an accomplishment or milestone.

  3. 03

    one step ahead

    maintaining a slight advantage; continuing to lead

  4. 04

    one step forward, two steps back

    A situation in which progress is more than offset by adverse developments.

  5. 05

    pep in one's step

    A confident, happy, energetic or enthusiastic mood or manner.

  6. 06

    retrace one's steps

    To return to a place one has been to before.

  7. 07

    smell what someone is stepping in

    Alternative form of pick up what someone is putting down.

  8. 08

    spring in one's step

    Enthusiasm, energy or a positive outlook or cheerful attitude.

Last updated August 10, 2026