1
general::
1. Resign from office, as in He threatened to step down if they continued to argue with him. [Late 1800s] 2. Reduce, especially in stages, as in They were stepping down the voltage. [c. 1900] Also see STEP UP, def. 1.
American Heritage Idioms
2
general::
Phrase(s): step down (from something)
1. Lit. to come down from something; to alight from something. • Please step down from the platform. • She stepped down and went back to her chair. 2. Fig. to resign a job or a responsibility. • The mayor stepped down from office last week. • It’s unusual for a mayor to step down., Phrase(s): step something down
to reduce the intensity or amount of something by one step or grade. • See if you can step the lights down a little. • Step down the lights just a little more.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs