bow out

British  

/ baʊ /

verb

1. to retire or withdraw gracefully

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bow out Idioms  

1. Depart, withdraw, resign, as in After five years as chairman, I felt it was time I bowed out, or We'll have to beat them; they'll never bow out. [First half of 1900s]

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Example Sentences

I didn’t fully become One with a ring until this January when my extremely fit, pickleball-playing sister-in-law bowed out one morning from a family hike at the urging of her ring.

From The Wall Street Journal

Party leaders have all but asked the candidates at the bottom of the polls to bow out, but understandably the response has been, “Why me? I’m no worse than the others.”

From Los Angeles Times

Warner board members ultimately concluded that Paramount’s bid topped the one from Netflix and the streamer bowed out.

From Los Angeles Times

Podcasts can run forever, but some hosts are bowing out as celebrities and YouTube dominate the industry.

From The Wall Street Journal

"I assume full responsibility for this defeat," an ashen-faced Jospin announced, bowing out of politics to howls of dismay from supporters.

From Barron's

Related Words

• bail out
• drop out
• pull out
• quit
• retire
• withdraw