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to step aside

to step aside

129 3.4
Move out of the way or leave a job so someone else can take it
  • phrasal verb
  • /stɛp əˈsaɪd/
translation icon : hacerse a un lado (moverse físicamente)
  • Laurie nods and steps aside, making room for Alex to climb into the boat.

And if you don't think you can do it, your name is on that mission, then step aside.

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Examples

  • Finally, the general stepped aside, saying, "All right, Mr. Cameron, you're free to go, of course."

    Fiction book (1995)
  • Step aside so I can walk the grid.

  • Just tell the boy to step aside.

  • If you really love your country, you will step aside and see how bad it has become.

    Blog text (12)
  • Men are hardly ever asked to "step aside" and make room for new leadership.

    Blog text (1)
  • Hey, buddy, do you mind stepping aside?

  • And normally we would just respectfully ask the family members to just step aside and let us do our work.

  • The less experienced resident may be asked to step aside, with the preceptor taking charge of the situation.

    Academic text (2003)
  • Florence Enderby stepped aside to allow her two fellow communicants to pass.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • During the event, he decided to step aside to let the new team leader take charge.

Synonyms

to back off
vsto step aside
  • Informal
356 2.8

Move away from someone, or stop taking part in something

involves reducing involvement or retreating without necessarily letting another take charge
to pull back
vsto step aside
162 3.4

To move yourself and things backward from a place, person, or situation

often implies leaving to create space for another rather than merely moving backward
to step down
vsto step aside
148 3.3

Give up an important job so someone else can take over

can also mean moving physically out of the way rather than formally leaving
to stand down
vsto step aside
123 5.1

To stop doing a job, duty or action after someone tells you to

is usually a voluntary withdrawal to allow a replacement, not one ordered
to give way
vsto step aside
42 3.3

Move aside or be replaced by something else

can also mean withdrawing from duty or responsibility rather than only physical movement
to abdicate
vsto step aside
  • Formal
23 8.0

To give up a position of power, for example a king or queen

is more general, often meaning move out or withdraw without formal ceremony
to bow out
vsto step aside
20 4.9

To stop doing a job or role politely

is usually a neutral withdrawal intended to allow someone else to take over
to drop off
vsto step aside
1 4.0

To move back from a place or position, often to a safer spot

is usually a deliberate withdrawal to let another take over rather than a gradual retreat
to take the backseat
vsto step aside
  • Informal
1 4.6

To let others lead and be less involved in a situation

involves leaving or fully withdrawing from responsibility rather than remaining subordinate

Antonyms

146 3.1

Volunteer to help or take responsibility

How Far

to stand back
159 1.6
to step aside
129 3.4
to move over
61 1.6

Surface Forms

step aside infinitive
stepped aside past participle
stepping aside present participle
steps aside third person singular

Morphology

step + aside

The primary sense 'to move out of the way' is directly and transparently derived from 'step' (move by foot) + 'aside' (to the side), following a standard motion verb + particle pattern that B1 learners can compose. The extended meaning 'withdraw from a position of responsibility' is a straightforward metaphorical extension of physically moving aside and is therefore also inferable, making the item readily understandable to learners who know the constituents.

Etymology

The phrasal verb step aside shows a simple image: step means 'move' and aside means 'to the side', so you can picture someone moving out of the way. That's why it now means both 'to move out of the way' and 'to leave a job or position so someone else can take over'.