1 B2 idiomatic formal
(Military) To order troops or forces to leave a state of readiness or alert.
"After the ceasefire was announced, the general ordered his troops to stand down."
inseparable
stand down
B2 neutral inseparable transitive/intransitive
To withdraw from a position of readiness, conflict, or authority.
In plain English
To stop being in a fight or alert state, or to leave an important job or role.
What does "stand down" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic formal
To resign from or give up a position of power or authority.
"Under increasing pressure from his own party, the prime minister agreed to stand down."
inseparable
3 C1 formal
(Legal, British English) To leave the witness stand after giving testimony in court.
"The judge thanked the witness and told her she could stand down."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To step down from an elevated position — the military use keeps this metaphor alive.
Actually means
To stop being in a fight or alert state, or to leave an important job or role.
Usage tip
Strong military and legal associations. In British English, also used for a politician withdrawing from an election. In a courtroom, a witness is told to 'stand down' after giving testimony.
Words that pair with "stand down"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
troops forces witness leader alert position
How to conjugate "stand down"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
stand down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
stands down
he/she/it
Past simple
stood down
yesterday
Past participle
stood down
have + pp
-ing form
standing down
continuous
Hear "stand down" in the wild
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Other ways to say "stand down"
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Keep exploring
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