step down
Vacate the position
Step down means to resign or withdraw from a position of authority or responsibility: The CEO stepped down after the scandal.
The phrase suggests a voluntary, dignified departure rather than being fired or forced out.
Literally, to step down is to descend from a raised platform or position—the figurative sense extends from leaving an elevated role.
Cease employment permanently
- quitCease doing something
- vacateLeave a place empty
- abdicateFormally renounce authority
- leaveSanctioned time away
depart · resign · relinquish · bow out · exit · demit · withdrawal · departure
Reduce or move downward
- decreaseBecome or make smaller
- reduceMake smaller in degree
- dropFall or release
- declineDecrease or refuse
diminish · graduated · tiered · terraced · staircase · ladder · rung · level
Delay or submit
- concedeAdmit something reluctantly
- acquiesceSubmit without protest
- relentCease resistance or severity
- submitPresent for consideration
give way · capitulate · compromise · retreat · withdraw · disengage · recuse · humble
Transfer of control
- successionFollowing in order
- changeoverComplete shift between systems
- transferMove between locations
- turnoverSales volume or attrition
shift · replacement · appointment · inauguration · passing the torch · interim · acting · caretaker
retire
Cease employment permanently
leave · depart · resign · relinquish · bow out · exit · demit · withdrawal · departure · resignation
lower
Reduce or move downward
decline · diminish · graduated · tiered · terraced · staircase · ladder · rung · level · notch
defer
Delay or submit
submit · give way · capitulate · compromise · retreat · withdraw · disengage · recuse · humble · make way
handover
Transfer of control
- successionFollowing in order
- changeoverComplete shift between systems
- transferMove between locations
turnover · shift · replacement · appointment · inauguration · passing the torch · interim · acting · caretaker · incoming
- motion idiomsin motion, on the move, on the go, move forward, move along
- resigngive notice, abdicate
- demotionsrelegation, loss of status
- downward motionsfall, drop, plunge, sink, dive
- downward movementssink, dive, drop, fall, dip
- giving upgive up, giving up, quit, quitting, surrender
step downstep up
Increase or advance
take over · take charge · rise to power · take office · ascend
down, step, descend, reduction, reducing, downgrade, decreased, downgraded, downgrading