step down

To leave an important job or position of power.

• The president has stepped down.
• She stepped down as captain last year.
• Will the director step down after the election?

How to use it: step down as + job title (She will step down as director in June.); step down from a position (He stepped down from his position on the board.)

Similar words: resign, stand down

Opposites: take office

Common phrases: step down as leader, step down voluntarily, step down from something

To move your foot and body from a higher place to a lower one.

• Step down carefully.
• She stepped down from the chair.
• Hold the rail as you step down onto the platform.

How to use it: step down from something (She stepped down from the ladder.); step down onto something (He stepped down onto the pavement.)

Similar words: step off, descend

Opposites: step up

Common phrases: step down carefully, step down from something

To reduce an amount or level in several small stages.

• They will step down production gradually.
• The dose was stepped down each week.
• We stepped spending down in three stages.

How to use it: step something down (The doctor plans to step the dose down over several weeks.)

Similar words: reduce gradually, scale down

Opposites: step up

Common phrases: step down something, step down treatment, step down gradually