v.
(drops, dropping, dropped)
- fall or cause to fall vertically.
▸deliver by parachute.
▸sink to or towards the ground.
▸informal collapse from exhaustion.
- make or become lower, weaker, or less.
▸lose (a point, a match, etc.).
- abandon or discontinue:
the charges against him were dropped.
▸discard or exclude.
- set down or unload (a passenger or goods).
▸place without ceremony:
drop the form in the post.
- mention in passing, especially in order to impress.
-
[usu. as adj. dropped]
Rugby score by a drop kick.
- informal take (a drug) orally.
- Bridge be forced to play (a relatively high card) as a loser.
- (of an animal) give birth to.
n.
- a small round or pear-shaped portion of liquid.
▸
(drops)
liquid medication applied in very small amounts.
-
[usu. with neg.]
a drink of alcohol:
he hadn't touched a drop.
- an instance of falling or dropping.
▸an abrupt fall or slope.
- informal a delivery.
▸US a letter box.
- a sweet or lozenge:
a chocolate drop.
- a pendant earring.
- a drop cloth.
- the trapdoor on a gallows, through which the victim falls.
Phrase
- at the drop of a hat
informal without delay or good reason. - drop the ball
N. Amer. informal make a mistake. - drop a brick
Brit. informal make an indiscreet or embarrassing remark. - drop a clanger
Brit. informal make an embarrassing or foolish mistake. - drop a curtsy
Brit. make a curtsy. - drop dead
die suddenly and unexpectedly. - drop one's guard
abandon one's habitual defensive or watchful stance. - drop a hint
give a hint, as if casually or unconsciously. - a drop in the ocean
(or N. Amer. bucket)
a very small amount compared with what is needed or expected. - drop someone a line
send someone an informal note or letter. - drop a stitch
let a stitch fall off the end of a knitting needle. - have the drop on
informal have the advantage over.
Phrase verbal
- drop back/behind
fall back or get left behind. - drop by/in
visit informally and briefly. - drop off
fall asleep, especially without intending to. - drop out
- cease to participate.
- abandon a course of study.
- pursue an alternative lifestyle.
- Rugby restart play with a drop kick.
Derivative
Etymology
OE dropa (n.), droppian (v.), of Gmc origin; rel. to drip and droop.