drop
A1 (for noun), A2 (for verb)Neutral to informal
Definition
Meaning
To fall or let something fall, typically in a quick, uncontrolled manner; a small amount of liquid; to decrease or reduce.
To stop doing something (drop a subject); to leave something or someone somewhere (drop me at the station); to omit or exclude (drop from the team); a small, round sweet; in music, a sudden, powerful bass note or section; in computing, to remove a dragged item.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
As a verb, often implies a degree of suddenness, unintentionality, or casualness. As a noun, often implies a small quantity, especially of liquid.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Slight preference in BrE for 'drop off' meaning 'fall asleep' and in AmE for 'drop by' meaning 'visit informally'. 'Drop a clanger' (BrE) vs 'drop the ball' (AmE) for making a mistake.
Connotations
Similar core connotations. 'Drop' in sports (to be dropped from a team) is common in both.
Frequency
Very high frequency in both dialects with minimal difference.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[V] (intransitive: The glass dropped.)[V n] (transitive: She dropped the vase.)[V n + adv/prep] (He dropped the book on the floor.)[V adv/prep] (Her voice dropped to a whisper.)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “drop in the bucket/ocean”
- “at the drop of a hat”
- “drop the ball”
- “drop like flies”
- “a drop in the ocean”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
We've seen a significant drop in quarterly revenue.
Academic
The experiment requires you to add one drop of the solution.
Everyday
Can you drop the kids at school on your way to work?
Technical
The router will drop packets if the buffer is full.
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- There's not a drop of milk left.
- Add a drop of blue food colouring.
- He scored a winning drop goal.
American English
- We saw a drop in temperature overnight.
- She felt a drop of rain on her cheek.
- Have a cough drop if your throat is sore.
verb
British English
- Mind you don't drop that plate.
- I think I'll drop Spanish next year.
- He dropped a real clanger in the meeting.
American English
- Don't drop the ball on this project.
- I'll drop by your place later.
- The stock price dropped 10%.
phrasal_verb
British English
- She dropped off during the film.
- Could you drop me off at the corner?
American English
- Sales dropped off after the holiday.
- Feel free to drop in anytime.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- A drop of water fell from the tap.
- Be careful not to drop your phone.
- The temperature will drop below zero tonight.
- He decided to drop history and take geography instead.
- The news dropped a bombshell on the whole company.
- Attendance has dropped off considerably since the price increase.
- The prosecutor was forced to drop the charges due to lack of evidence.
- The song builds anticipation before the bass drops.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a water DROP falling from a leaf. The shape of a 'd' looks like a droplet, and 'rop' sounds like it's 'dropping'.
Conceptual Metaphor
MORAL/STATUS IS HEIGHT ('His reputation dropped'); DECREASE IS DOWN ('Prices dropped'); ABANDONMENT IS LETTING FALL ('She dropped the project').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not use 'drop' for 'throw' (бросить). 'Drop' is less intentional. Confusing 'drop in' (visit) with 'drop into' (fall into). Overusing the noun for any small thing; it's primarily for liquids or very small quantities.
Common Mistakes
- He dropped down the pen. (Redundant 'down') -> He dropped the pen.
- I dropped him at the station. (Correct, but some learners use 'off' unnecessarily).
- There was a big drop of people. (Unnatural for people) -> There was a big drop *in the number of* people.
Practice
Quiz
Which use of 'drop' is most informal?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a regular verb: drop - dropped - dropped.
Yes, but only as part of the phrasal verbs 'drop in', 'drop by', or 'drop round', meaning to visit informally and usually without a specific arrangement.
As verbs, both mean to move downwards. 'Drop' often implies that someone lets something fall, or that the fall is sudden and direct. 'Fall' is more general and often intransitive (The apple fell). You can 'drop a book' (you cause it), but a book 'falls' (it happens).
It refers to the moment in a dance or electronic track where the beat or bassline changes dramatically and emphatically, often the climax of the song.