Stand down
verb
To step aside or withdraw from a position or task, especially in favor of someone else.
After leading the organization for twenty-five years, the founder decided to stand down.
Often appears as...
- stand down from a position
- stand down from office
verb
To take no further action in a situation, or to stop being ready to take action.
After flaring tensions, the two countries decided to stand down their armies.
Often appears as...
- stand down armies
- stand down from alert
Usage tips
Formal
Technical
verb
To leave a witness stand at the end of giving evidence.
After providing her account of the events, the witness was asked to stand down.
Often appears as...
- stand down after testimony
- stand down in court
Usage tips
Formal
Technical
verb
To step aside or withdraw from a position or task, especially in favor of someone else.
After leading the organization for twenty-five years, the founder decided to stand down.
Often appears as...
- stand down from a position
- stand down from office
verb
To take no further action in a situation, or to stop being ready to take action.
After flaring tensions, the two countries decided to stand down their armies.
Often appears as...
- stand down armies
- stand down from alert
Usage tips
Formal
Technical
verb
To leave a witness stand at the end of giving evidence.
After providing her account of the events, the witness was asked to stand down.
Often appears as...
- stand down after testimony
- stand down in court
Usage tips
Formal
Technical
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Voluntary Withdrawal
Indicates a person is willingly giving up their role, usually out of personal choice.
After much thought, he chose to stand down from the committee.
Pro Tip 2/3Empowering Successor
Used when someone steps aside to allow another individual to take over responsibilities.
She will stand down to let a younger member lead the project.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Forced Out
Unlike 'fired' or 'ousted,' it often implies a lack of external pressure to resign.
The CEO decided to stand down at the peak of his career.
Pro Tip 1/3Voluntary Withdrawal
Indicates a person is willingly giving up their role, usually out of personal choice.
After much thought, he chose to stand down from the committee.
Pro Tip 2/3Empowering Successor
Used when someone steps aside to allow another individual to take over responsibilities.
She will stand down to let a younger member lead the project.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Forced Out
Unlike 'fired' or 'ousted,' it often implies a lack of external pressure to resign.
The CEO decided to stand down at the peak of his career.
Pro Tip 1/3Voluntary Withdrawal
Indicates a person is willingly giving up their role, usually out of personal choice.
After much thought, he chose to stand down from the committee.
Pro Tip 2/3Empowering Successor
Used when someone steps aside to allow another individual to take over responsibilities.
She will stand down to let a younger member lead the project.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Forced Out
Unlike 'fired' or 'ousted,' it often implies a lack of external pressure to resign.
The CEO decided to stand down at the peak of his career.
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