step down meaning and definition

STEP DOWN verb

Definition of step down (verb)

1. give up or retire from a position
   • "The Secretary of the Navy will leave office next month"; "The chairman resigned over the financial scandal"
   • synonyms: leave office, quit, resign
   • antonym: take office
2. reduce the level or intensity or size or scope of
   • "de-escalate a crisis"
   • synonyms: de-escalate, weaken
   • antonym: escalate