bow out

Other forms: bowed out; bows out; bowing out

Definitions of bow out
  1. verb
    remove oneself from an obligation
    “He bowed out when he heard how much work was involved”
    synonyms: back down, back off, chicken out, pull out
    get out, pull out
    move out or away
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    types:
    resile
    pull out from an agreement, contract, statement, etc.
    type of:
    retire, withdraw
    lose interest
  2. verb
    retire gracefully
    “He bowed out when he realized he could no longer handle the demands of the chairmanship”
    synonyms: withdraw
    retire, withdraw
    withdraw from active participation
    see moresee less
    type of:
    retire
    go into retirement; stop performing one's work or withdraw from one's position
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