to bow out
24
4.9
- phrasal verb
- /baʊ aʊt/
- After careful consideration, I decided to bow out of the project to allow someone more capable to take over.
- bow out gracefully
- decided to bow out
- bow out of the race
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Watch on YouTubeI, I often just bow out, opt for peace.
- I, I often just bow out, opt for peace.
- But our last question to you, William, is why did you bow out of the jury duty?
- If they don't, if they decided to not launch, they can bow out.
- And then we would we would take a week off and we would bow out.
- And I honestly thought starting a company was my way of of sort of bowing out of the spotlight and.
- And I'm going to, I'm going to bow out of the men women debate now just to to play it safe.
- So I love you guys, but I just, I, I got to bow out of this conversation, you know, and I got that.
Examples
-
I am saddened to see Edwards bowing out of the race.
Blog text (18) -
If any of you want to bow out, now's your chance.
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But our last question to you, William, is why did you bow out of the jury duty?
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So I love you guys, but I just, I, I got to bow out of this conversation, you know, and I got that.
-
We're gonna have to bow out of this.
-
Then you should bow out now.
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I was looking for a reason to bow out of this deal, and she had just provided it.
Fiction book (2002) -
And he bowed out so that I could do this.
-
Would we be calling any other candidate "Heroic" if they refused to bow out of the race?
Blog text (9) -
I am going to bow out of the discussion for a multitude of reasons.
Blog text (13)
Synonyms
∞
1.0
To go away from a place, person, or group
876
3.5
Leave a person, place, or situation without taking part anymore
791
1.2
To leave a job or position
469
3.7
Leave a job or office by giving notice
443
2.8
Move away from someone, or stop taking part in something
311
2.8
To stop taking part in a place or activity
228
3.4
To stop being involved in an activity or agreement
170
1.3
To leave a place to start a journey
157
3.3
Give up an important job so someone else can take over
151
3.2
Leave an activity or agreement you had joined
146
3.7
To stop insisting because others oppose you
143
5.1
To stop doing a job, duty or action after someone tells you to
111
3.9
Stop supporting or taking part in a plan because you feel unsure
65
4.2
Stop being a leader with official power, for example a government official or company boss
30
3.9
Say goodbye to people and go away from a place politely
2
4.4
To leave normal society and live a much simpler life
1
8.4
To officially take back a promise or plan
1
7.7
To say goodbye and leave politely
1
7.5
To stop being a member of a group or organization
To stop working after a long time
To stop working in your job, especially as an athlete
Antonyms
How Satisfying
- Informal
14
6.0
- Informal
9
6.5
24
4.9
∞
1.0
Surface Forms
Morphology
The components 'bow' (a polite gesture) and 'out' (away) give a clear hint of leaving politely, so a learner who knows both words can often infer a sense of exiting. However, the specific conventionalized meaning of formally withdrawing from a job, role, or commitment is a metaphorical extension that may not be fully predictable without exposure. Because the relation is partly transparent but conventionalized, it is best classified as semi-transparent.
Etymology
Bow out may come from the simple picture of someone giving a polite bow and then stepping out of the stage or room. That's why it now means 'to leave' or 'to step away' from a job or activity in a polite way.