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.