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Phrase Meanings » stand down
What does "stand down" mean?
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Leave a witness stand, as in The judge told her to stand down. [Late 1600s]
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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]
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Go off duty, as in The American forces were ordered to stand down. [Early 1900s]
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