bow out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bow out" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone is withdrawing or resigning from a situation or responsibility, often gracefully. Example: "After much consideration, she decided to bow out of the competition to focus on her studies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

ROOSTER: I bow out!

The New York Times

How to bow out.

Independent

I bow out!

The New York Times

Does the player bow out?

The New York Times - Sports

Outside of that, he would bow out.

The New York Times - Sports

Or Mr Juncker could bow out voluntarily.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

She bowed out.

The New York Times

Mr. Klemperer bowed out.

The New York Times - Arts

And so he bows out.

Independent

So he bowed out.

The New Yorker

WellPoint bowed out.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bow out" when you want to emphasize a graceful or strategic withdrawal, especially when maintaining a positive image or reputation is important.

Common error

Avoid using "bow out" in situations where a simple departure or quitting is meant without any intention of grace or strategic advantage. Other alternatives like "quit" or "leave" might be more appropriate in those cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "bow out" functions as an intransitive verb, meaning it does not take a direct object. It indicates the act of withdrawing or resigning from a position, competition, or activity, often implying a sense of grace or strategic timing, as demonstrated by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Science

1%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bow out" is a commonly used phrasal verb that signifies a deliberate and often graceful withdrawal or resignation from a position, activity, or commitment. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely used across diverse contexts, especially in News & Media. When using this phrase, it's crucial to consider the implication of maintaining a positive image or strategic advantage. Alternatives like "withdraw", "resign", or "step down" might be more appropriate depending on the specific situation you want to describe. The phrase is not restricted to solely formal or informal situations, however, it is important to note the need to keep consistency with the intent to express a voluntary action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

withdraw

Implies a more general departure, without necessarily implying grace or intention to preserve reputation.

resign

Specifically refers to leaving a position, especially a formal one.

step down

Similar to resign, but often suggests a voluntary departure from a leadership role.

pull out

Suggests withdrawing from a commitment or agreement.

retire

Implies leaving a career or occupation, typically due to age or health.

back out

Implies withdrawing from a commitment or agreement, often at the last minute.

quit

A more informal term for leaving a job or activity, sometimes implying dissatisfaction.

give up

Indicates ceasing an effort or activity, often due to difficulty or lack of success.

exit

Suggests a more formal or planned departure.

leave

A general term for departing from a place or situation.

FAQs

How to use "bow out" in a sentence?

You can use "bow out" to indicate a graceful withdrawal or resignation. For example, "After a successful season, the coach decided to "bow out" gracefully."

What can I say instead of "bow out"?

You can use alternatives like "withdraw", "resign", or "step down" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "bow out" or "bow down"?

"Bow out" means to withdraw or resign, while "bow down" means to submit or yield. They have opposite meanings and are used in different contexts.

What's the difference between "bow out" and "give up"?

"Bow out" often implies a strategic or graceful withdrawal, whereas "give up" suggests defeat or inability to continue.