stand down

stand down

1. To step down from and leave the witness stand in a courtroom. Thank you for your testimony and for answering my questions, Mrs. Wilson, you may stand down now.
2. Of police or military, to cease being prepared to engage in a violent conflict. Chief, tell those officers to stand down. I can resolve this issue peacefully. Forces on either side of the disputed territory are standing down after a peace treaty was signed this morning.
3. To resign from some job or position, especially one with high power or authority. Effective immediately, I'll be standing down as director of the company. The governor was forced to stand down after the scandal became public.
See also: down, stand
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

stand down

 
1. to step down, particularly from the witness stand in a courtroom. The bailiff told the witness to stand down. Please stand down and take your seat.
2. [for military forces] to move away from readiness for war. After the peace treaty was signed, troops on both sides stood down.
See also: down, stand
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

stand down

1. Leave a witness stand, as in The judge told her to stand down. [Late 1600s]
2. Withdraw, as from a political contest or a game or race, as in Harry decided to stand down as a candidate for mayor. [Late 1800s]
3. Go off duty, as in The American forces were ordered to stand down. [Early 1900s]
See also: down, stand
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

stand down

v.
1. To withdraw or resign, as from a political contest: Because the candidate was behind in the polls, he decided to stand down.
2. To end a state of readiness or alert: The troops were ordered to stand down.
3. To leave a witness stand: The judge allowed the witness to stand down.
See also: down, stand
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • stand out against (something)
  • stand on me
  • from where I stand
  • stand apart
  • stand apart (from someone or something)
  • stand someone up
  • stand up
  • stand (one)
  • stand back of
  • stand (in) back of (someone or something)
References in periodicals archive
If you are willing to help with donations or volunteer for Chicago Stand Down, contact www.chicagostanddown.org.
Park district's sock drive aids veterans
He said he has chosen to stand down to allow new blood into the council chamber.
Not running for council again - but they'll miss ward work; Out of Cardiff's 75 councillors, 22 are not standing again for election on Thursday, May 4. Ruth Mosalski spoke to some of them to find out why..
"It makes perfect sense to bring the stand down to our own backyard," said DAV National Adjutant Marc Burgess.
Standing down: on a mission to address veteran homelessness
Stand Down is a term that originated during the Vietnam War to describe the practice of removing combat troops from the field and taking care of their basic needs in a safe area.
Veterans Inc. schedules 8th annual Stand Down
Mr Joyce, 51, denied that his decision to stand down was linked to media reports about his alleged relationship with a 17-year-old election helper.
Standing down; britain ROUND-UP
It has long been my intention to stand down on completion of the stadium build project.
SAINTS CEO TO QUIT
Nashville, TN, August 23, 2011 --(PR.com)-- On Monday, October 31st, 2011 Operation Stand Down, Inc.
Heroes Breakfast Benefit Operation Stand Down, Inc.
Summary: US President Barack Obama has called on Ivory Coast incumbent Laurent Gbagbo to stand down immediately.
Obama calls on Gbagbo to step down
She said: "The Department is today announcing the decision to stand down the NPFS with effect from 1am on February 11.
DUE to the decreasing number [...]
Anyone with a more cynical mind than mine may also think this decision may have something to do with the "golden handshake" MPs get when they decide to stand down (something that is being abolished after the next election) but that is not for me to speculate on.
No surprise that Byers is quitting; VOICE OF THE NORTH
MANCHESTER CITY will decide this morning whether to force former owner Thaksin Shinawatra to stand down as an honorary president of the club.
'Thaks your lot'
He said in a statement: "Although I am still very active now, future uncertainties about my health make it sensible for me to decide to stand down at the next election.
Midland MP to stand down at next election; POLITICS
"Defeat in Glasgow East would increase the pressure on Mr Brown to stand down significantly," said Hills spokesman Graham Sharpe.
Labour backed for by-election relief in Glasgow; POLITICS
In deciding to stand down operations, LANL's director consulted with senior officials from NNSA and the University of California, the management and operating contractor for the laboratory.
Stand-Down of Los Alamos National Laboratory: Total Costs Uncertain; Almost All Mission-Critical Programs Were Affected but Have Recovered