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step aside

B1 neutral inseparable intransitive
In simple words

Move out of the way, or let someone else take your job or role.

Literal meaning: To physically move one step to the side.

Meanings

1 A2 neutral

To physically move to one side to let someone or something pass.

"He stepped aside to let the elderly woman through the narrow doorway."

Grammar: inseparable
2 B1 idiomatic neutral

To voluntarily give up a position, role, or authority so that someone else can take over.

"The CEO agreed to step aside after months of pressure from shareholders."

"I have decided to step aside as leader of the Labour Party."

— Jeremy Corbyn, resignation statement, 2020
Grammar: inseparable
3 B2 idiomatic formal

To temporarily remove oneself from involvement in a matter, especially to allow an impartial process.

"The judge was asked to step aside because she had a personal connection to the defendant."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

The figurative sense (leaving a role) is very common in news and political contexts. The physical sense is polite and everyday. Neither sense is separable.

Commonly used with

leader chairman position role allow let

Forms

Base
step aside
I/you/we/they
3rd person
steps aside
he/she/it
Past simple
steped aside
yesterday
Past participle
steped aside
have + pp
-ing form
steping aside
continuous

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Synonyms

step down make way stand aside move out of the way yield withdraw

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