bow out of

USAGE SUMMARY

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

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Ford looked to bow out of the luxury-car market.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Instead, he chose to bow out of the process.

The New York Times - Sports

But Mr. Spitzer, of all people, should bow out of the whole conversation.

The New York Times

How to bow out of a New Year's Eve party that close friends give every year?

The New York Times

But along the way they'll be offered cash incentives to bow out of the game.

The New York Times - Arts

Television funnyman Keith Chegwin has become the latest celebrity to bow out of Dancing on Ice.

Independent

If he fails to do so, he will probably bow out of national politics altogether.

The Economist

I wish to bow out of the regular gatherings but remain friends.

The New York Times

The disappointment was compounded when Yu appeared to bow out of the sport for good.

The New York Times - Sports

The true élite, it turned out, tend to bow out of competition.

The New Yorker

Is this really how the great Paxo wants to bow out of his illustrious news career?

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bow out of" to politely indicate a planned or graceful withdrawal from a commitment, competition, or role. It implies respect for the situation and those involved.

Common error

Avoid using "bow out of" when a more abrupt or forceful term like "quit" or "abandon" is more appropriate. "Bow out of" suggests a measured and respectful departure, not a sudden or angry one.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bow out of" functions as a phrasal verb, indicating a deliberate action of withdrawing or resigning from a situation, commitment, or competition. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment of its correctness and usability. Examples from Ludwig show it used across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

13%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bow out of" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrasal verb that indicates a deliberate and often polite withdrawal from a commitment, competition, or role. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous real-world examples. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts and is generally considered to have a neutral to slightly formal register. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure it aligns with the intended tone of a planned and respectful departure, differentiating it from more abrupt or forceful alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

withdraw from

Indicates a formal or official removal from something.

pull out of

Indicates a withdrawal from an agreement, plan, or competition.

step down from

Suggests resigning or leaving a position of authority.

drop out of

Suggests abandoning an activity or commitment before completion.

resign from

Implies a formal departure from a job or role.

back out of

Implies reneging on a promise or agreement.

quit

A more informal term for leaving a job or activity.

retire from

Specifically refers to leaving a profession or career due to age or other reasons.

exit from

A more formal way to describe leaving a situation or organization.

relinquish

To voluntarily cease to keep or claim; give up.

FAQs

How can I use "bow out of" in a sentence?

You can use "bow out of" to describe withdrawing from a commitment, competition, or role. For example, "After much consideration, she decided to "bow out of" the competition to focus on her studies".

What are some alternatives to "bow out of"?

Some alternatives to "bow out of" include "withdraw from", "step down from", or "resign from", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "bow out of"?

"Bow out of" is appropriate when you want to convey a polite and respectful withdrawal from a situation, implying a thoughtful decision rather than an impulsive action.

Is "bow out of" formal or informal?

"Bow out of" is generally considered a neutral to slightly formal phrase, suitable for most professional and public contexts. More informal alternatives might include "quit" or "drop out of".