Source : WordNet®

step down
     v 1: give up or retire from a position; "The Secretary fo the
          Navy will leave office next month"; "The chairman
          resigned over the financial scandal" [syn: {leave office},
           {quit}, {resign}] [ant: {take office}]
     2: reduce the level or intensity or size or scope of;
        "de-escalate a crisis" [syn: {de-escalate}, {weaken}]
        [ant: {escalate}]