drop

I UK [drɒp] / US [drɑp] verb
Word forms "drop":
present tense I/you/we/they drop he/she/it drops present participle dropping past tense dropped past participle dropped
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1) [transitive] to deliberately let something fall

drop something off something:

The children were dropping stones off the bridge.

drop something into something:

He dropped a few coins into my hand.

a) [transitive] to let something fall without intending to

Lucas dropped the ball.

I dropped my keys down the back of the sofa.

drop something onto/over something:

You've dropped crumbs all over the floor.

b) [intransitive] to fall to the ground or into something

Everyone cheered as the ball dropped into the hole.

She took off her jacket and let it drop to the floor.

2) [intransitive] to quickly move downwards, or to let yourself fall downwards

drop into/to/down:

Teresa dropped into the chair, exhausted.

Doyle dropped to a crouch and peered in through the letterbox.

a) [transitive] to move part of your body downwards

He dropped his head into his hands and sighed.

b) [intransitive] if someone's jaw drops, or if their mouth drops open, their mouth opens suddenly because they are very surprised

c) [intransitive/transitive] if you drop your eyes or your gaze, you look downwards

3) [transitive] to reduce something to a lower amount or value

We had to drop the price of our house to sell it.

Be sure to drop your speed in wet weather.

a) [intransitive/transitive] if you drop your voice, or if your voice drops, you speak less loudly

b) [intransitive] if the wind drops, it becomes less strong

c) drop or drop back

[intransitive] to fall to a lower amount or value

Infant mortality has dropped dramatically in the last 50 years.

drop from/to:

PCM's share value dropped to 750 pence.

drop below:

In winter the temperature often drops below freezing.

drop by:

European sales have dropped by over 30%.

4)

a) drop or drop off

[transitive] to take someone to a place in a car, usually without getting out of the car yourself

I'm driving into town – can I drop you somewhere?

drop someone at/in:

Can you drop me at the corner of the street?

b) to take something to a place and not stay there very long

Can you drop these magazines at Nora's house on your way home?

5)

a) [transitive] to let something fall from an aircraft

The UN is trying to drop supplies into the area.

b) [intransitive] to fall into an area from an aircraft, especially using a parachute

6) [transitive] to not continue with something

The ad was dropped after complaints from the public.

drop the act (= stop pretending):

Oh, drop the innocent act!

a) to decide not to continue with a court case

The charges against him were dropped due to insufficient evidence.

Her family wanted her to drop the case.

b) to decide not to continue studying a school subject

In Year 10 you can drop geography or history.

c) to stop what you are doing in order to do something else

He told me to drop everything and come over straight away.

7) [transitive] to not include something

He asked us to drop the word "liar" from our headline.

The controversial clauses of the contract were finally dropped.

a) to not include someone on a team

Rogers is injured and has been dropped.

b) to not pronounce a letter when you say a word

She has a tendency to drop her h's.

8) [intransitive/transitive] to stop talking about something, especially because it is embarrassing someone

Let's drop the subject, shall we?

See:

let I

9) [transitive] to fail to win points in a game, competition, or test

United have only dropped 3 points this season.

10) [transitive] to say something in an informal or indirect way

drop a hint:

Ferguson dropped a broad hint that he would soon be retiring.

11) [transitive] informal to end a relationship with someone, especially suddenly

12) drop or drop away

[intransitive] if the ground drops, it slopes downwards

13) [transitive] very informal to swallow an illegal drug, especially acid

•

drop someone a line/note — to write a short letter to someone

I'll drop her a line to say thanks.

- drop the ball

- drop dead

- drop someone in it

- ready to drop

Phrasal verbs:

- drop away

- drop back

- drop behind

- drop by

- drop off

- drop out

- drop round

See:

bottom I, fit II, fly II, penny

II UK [drɒp] / US [drɑp] noun
Word forms "drop":
singular drop plural drops
**

1)

a) [countable] a very small amount of liquid with a round shape

a tear/rain/dew drop

drop of:

I felt a drop of rain on my face.

There were drops of blood on his shirt.

b) [singular] informal a small amount of a drink

drop of:

He asked for a drop of brandy.

Would you like a drop more tea?

2) [countable, usually singular] a fall in the amount or value of something

drop in:

The company announced a 15% drop in profits.

There was a sharp drop in the temperature during the night.

3) [countable, usually singular] a distance down to the ground from a high place

At the edge of the cliff is a 100-metre drop.

4) [singular] informal a small amount of a particular quality

drop of:

She didn't have a drop of imagination.

5) [countable] a small round sweet

chocolate/mint/lemon drops

6) [countable] an occasion when something or someone is dropped from an aircraft

Air drops of food were made in the region.

7) [countable] the act of leaving or delivering something in a place that has been agreed, especially something secret or illegal

The kidnappers gave them instructions about where to make the drop.

8) drops

[plural] liquid medicine that you put into your eyes, ears, or nose

•

- at the drop of a hat

- a drop in the ocean

- not touch a drop