"Stop participating" is a phrase that can be interpreted in various ways. It may refer to disengaging from a particular activity or withdrawing from a group or event. There are several synonyms for this phrase, including opting out, bowing out, stepping down, quitting, throwing in the towel, and walking away. Opting out suggests a conscious decision to depart or to not take part in something further. Bowing out is a phrase commonly used in a formal context, where one may excuse oneself from a social event. Stepping down may be used to indicate a voluntary or forced removal from a position of power. Quitting or throwing in the towel imply a willingness to give up, whereas walking away suggests a sudden and abrupt departure.