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to step aside; to move (i.e. out of the way); to make way
to resign; to retire; to quit; to secede
「退く」 has another reading with different meanings.
年齢を理由に彼は一線から退くことにした。
He decided to step down from the front line due to his age.
責任を取って社長は職を退くと発表した。
The company president announced he would step down to take responsibility.
戦いに負けた軍隊は後方に退いた。
The defeated army retreated to the rear.