step down

Meaning

To "step down" means to resign or formally leave an important position, role, or office, often to allow someone else to take over. It is a neutral, professional term commonly used in corporate announcements, politics, and organizational leadership transitions. It implies a voluntary departure, though it can sometimes be a polite cover for being asked to leave.

Examples

• The CEO decided to step down after ten years of leading the company to record growth.

  The CEO decided to step down after ten years of leading the company to record growth.

• Following the financial scandal, several board members were pressured to step down immediately.

  Following the financial scandal, several board members were pressured to step down immediately.

• She will step down from her role as regional director to focus more on her family.

  She will step down from her role as regional director to focus more on her family.

• He plans to step down at the end of the fiscal year once a suitable successor is found.

  He plans to step down at the end of the fiscal year once a suitable successor is found.

• Although he is stepping down as president, he will remain with the firm as an advisor.

  Although he is stepping down as president, he will remain with the firm as an advisor.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ He decided to step down his position as manager.

  ✓ He decided to step down from his position as manager.

  When specifying the role or position you are leaving, you must use the preposition "from" after "step down."

• ✗ The board stepped down the CEO because of poor performance.

  ✓ The board asked the CEO to step down because of poor performance.

  "Step down" is an intransitive verb; an external authority cannot "step down" someone else directly. They must ask or force them to step down.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The founder announced she would ___ from her executive role next month.

  💡 To resign or leave an important position.

  Show answer

  step down

• After the merger, the senior partner decided to ___ and let younger leadership take over.

  💡 To voluntarily vacate a high-level job.

  Show answer

  step down