step aside

leave a position of power, often because of pressure from others

C1

What does "step aside" mean?

To step aside means to voluntarily leave a position of power or authority, typically because of political pressure, public scrutiny, or a sense that someone else should take over. Although the action may be framed as a personal choice, the phrase almost always carries the implication that outside forces — colleagues, media, party members, or the public — have made staying untenable. It is frequently used in political and corporate journalism to describe leaders, ministers, executives, or officials who leave their roles under pressure. The phrase often suggests an element of reluctance or political necessity, distinguishing it from a straightforward, uncontested resignation. It is also commonly extended with 'in favour of' to indicate that the departing figure is making way for a named or implied successor.

Examples

How to use it

subject + step aside

The most fundamental pattern — used when no successor or reason needs to be specified explicitly.

After weeks of mounting pressure, the party leader finally stepped aside.

be urged / asked / called on / expected + to step aside

Used to indicate that external pressure or expectation is the driving force behind the departure.

The embattled CEO was called on to step aside by the company's board of directors.

step aside + in favour of + person

Used when the person making way for a specific successor is named or implied.

Several senior figures have suggested she should step aside in favour of a more experienced candidate.

refuse / agree / be reluctant + to step aside

Used to describe the subject's attitude toward the pressure being placed on them.

Despite the scandal, the minister has so far refused to step aside.

demand / call for / urge + (that) subject + step aside

Used in reporting constructions where the subjunctive or infinitival frame introduces the call for resignation.

Opposition parties are demanding that the prime minister step aside immediately.

Common Collocations

urged to step asideasked to step asidepressure to step asidestep aside in favour ofrefuse to step asidecalls to step aside

Common Mistakes

Confusing 'step aside' with 'step down'

'Step down' is a near-synonym but is more neutral — it simply describes leaving a role, whether voluntarily or not. 'Step aside' carries the stronger implication of yielding to pressure or making way for someone else, so the two are not always interchangeable.

✗ He stepped aside from his role after 20 successful years, having achieved everything he set out to do.
✓ He stepped down from his role after 20 successful years, having achieved everything he set out to do.
Using the present continuous in political contexts

The present continuous ('is stepping aside') sounds unnatural in most political reporting. Prefer the past simple, present perfect, or infinitival constructions in formal contexts.

✗ The minister is stepping aside as we speak, according to sources.
✓ The minister has stepped aside, according to sources.
Using 'step aside' in casual conversation

'Step aside' belongs to formal political and corporate discourse. In everyday conversation about someone quitting their job, native speakers would use 'resign' or 'quit' instead.

✗ My colleague stepped aside last week — she just didn't like the new management.
✓ My colleague resigned last week — she just didn't like the new management.

Usage

This phrasal verb is formal and belongs mainly to political and corporate journalism; in everyday speech, native speakers would say 'quit' or 'resign' instead. It is especially common in British English media.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does 'step aside' always mean there was pressure involved, even if someone says they're leaving voluntarily?

Almost always, yes. Even when a public figure describes their departure as a personal decision, 'step aside' implies that external circumstances — public criticism, internal party pressure, or a sense of obligation — played a role. If a departure is genuinely uncontroversial and self-motivated, 'step down' or 'resign' are more neutral choices.

Is 'step aside' more common in British English?

It is particularly prevalent in British English political media, though it appears across international English-language journalism. It is especially common in BBC reporting, British newspaper headlines, and Westminster political commentary. American political reporting tends to favour 'step down' or 'resign' slightly more often.

Can 'step aside' be used in a passive sentence?

Not directly — because 'step aside' takes no object, it cannot be made passive in the usual way. However, the verbs that frame it often can be: you would say 'She was urged to step aside' or 'He was asked to step aside', where 'urged' and 'asked' carry the passive, not 'step aside' itself.

Does 'step aside' have a completely different meaning in other contexts?

Yes — in everyday, non-political contexts, 'step aside' simply means to move physically out of someone's way. That literal sense ('She stepped aside to let him pass') is entirely separate from the political sense covered here. The context — particularly whether a position of power is involved — makes the meaning clear.

What kinds of people or roles are typically described with 'step aside'?

The verb is almost exclusively used for people in formal positions of authority: politicians, party leaders, ministers, prime ministers, CEOs, executives, and senior officials. It would sound odd applied to someone in a minor or informal role. The subject is also frequently described with words like 'embattled', 'controversial', or 'under pressure'.

Related Phrasal Verbs

step down

Ready to practise?

Practise 1,000+ English phrasal verbs with interactive gap-fill exercises.

Start Practising →