drop

dropverb

To drop is to go down, or let something go down, suddenly or all at once: an object from a hand, a price to a lower level, a person out of a car, or a plan that is given up.

1. let falllet something fall, by accident or on purpose

   transitive [T] verb + object [V + obj] verb + object + preposition + object [V + obj + prep + obj]

   • Be careful not to drop the plates. V + obj
   • He dropped his keys on the floor. V + obj + prep + obj
   • Just drop your bag by the door. V + obj + prep + obj
   • Someone dropped a coin into the box. V + obj + prep + obj

   Collocations

   verb + noun drop a glass, drop a ball, drop your keys

   verb + preposition drop something on something, drop something into something

   Antonyms catch

   Compare fall

2. fallfall, especially suddenly or from a height

   intransitive [I] verb + adverb or preposition [V + adv/prep]

   • The glass dropped to the floor and broke. V + adv/prep
   • Apples were dropping from the trees. V + adv/prep
   • She dropped into a chair, tired out. V + adv/prep (sit down suddenly and heavily)

   Collocations

   verb + preposition drop to the ground, drop to the floor, drop into a chair

   Synonyms fall

3. become lessbecome lower in amount, level, or value

   intransitive [I] verb + adverb or preposition [V + adv/prep] verb + preposition + object [V + prep + obj]

   • Prices dropped sharply after the holidays. V + adv/prep
   • The temperature dropped below zero last night. V + prep + obj
   • Her voice dropped to a whisper. V + prep + obj

   Collocations

   verb + adverb drop sharply, drop slightly, drop dramatically

   noun + verb prices drop, temperature drops

   Synonyms fall; decrease

   Antonyms rise; increase

4. take somewheretake someone or something to a place, usually in a car, and leave them there

   Drop off is used in the same way and is very common: I'll drop you off at home.

   transitive [T] verb + object + preposition + object [V + obj + prep + obj] verb + object + adverb [V + obj + adv]

   • I'll drop you at the station on my way. V + obj + prep + obj
   • Could you drop this package at the post office? V + obj + prep + obj
   • She dropped the kids at school and went to work. V + obj + prep + obj

   Collocations

   verb + noun drop someone at the station, drop the kids at school

   Compare drop off

5. stopstop doing, having, or talking about something

   transitive [T] verb + object [V + obj]

   • She dropped French after one year. V + obj
   • Let's drop the subject. V + obj
   • The police dropped the charges against him. V + obj
   • Drop what you're doing and come here! V + obj

   Collocations

   verb + noun drop a subject, drop a plan, drop the charges, drop a class

   Synonyms give up

6. leave outleave someone or something out, especially a player from a team or a sound from a word

   transitive [T] verb + object + preposition + object [V + obj + prep + obj] verb + object [V + obj]

   • He was dropped from the team after the last game. V + obj + prep + obj (passive)
   • Some speakers drop the letter h at the start of words. V + obj

   Collocations

   verb + preposition drop someone from something

   Synonyms leave out

See also drop off; drop out