stand down
The phrase "stand down" is used in various contexts to indicate withdrawal, relaxation from readiness, or resignation from a position.
Definition
B2Military
(technical)To cease military operations or relax from a state of readiness.
Example
- The troops were ordered to stand down after the peace agreement was signed.
B2Work
(general)To stop working temporarily or resign from a job.
Example
- The manager decided to stand down after ten years of service.
C1Law
(technical)To leave the witness stand after giving testimony in court.
Example
- The judge instructed the witness to stand down after the cross-examination.
C1Politics
(chiefly British)To withdraw one's candidacy for a public office.
Example
- The candidate decided to stand down in favor of a more popular contender.
B2General
(general)To resign or withdraw, often in favor of another person.
Example
- After much deliberation, he chose to stand down and let his colleague take over.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "stand down":
step downback downstand asidestep asidestand backstand offstep backstand byback offstep offback awayclimb downstand stillstand intalk downget downfall backgive groundtake a back seatquiet downturn downsit downpipe downcome downstepping backquieten downstay backcall downstand patsit backcall offstand oncall off the dogswave the white flagkeep one's head downwalk awayduck downhold one's fireback outshut downhold offbow downlay lowturn awayput downswitch offcalm downmove downlay asidestand behindstand uphold fire