drop

verb (drops, dropping, dropped)

1》 fall or cause to fall vertically.

    ↘deliver by parachute.

    ↘sink to or towards the ground.

    ↘informal collapse from exhaustion.

2》 make or become lower, weaker, or less.

    ↘lose (a point, a match, etc.).

3》 abandon or discontinue: the charges against him were dropped.

    ↘discard or exclude.

4》 set down or unload (a passenger or goods).

    ↘place without ceremony: drop the form in the post.

5》 mention in passing, especially in order to impress.

6》 [usu. as adjective dropped] Rugby score by a drop kick.

7》 informal take (a drug) orally.

8》 Bridge be forced to play (a relatively high card) as a loser.

9》 (of an animal) give birth to.

noun

1》 a small round or pear-shaped portion of liquid.

    ↘(drops) liquid medication applied in very small amounts.

2》 [usu. with negative] a drink of alcohol: he hadn't touched a drop.

3》 an instance of falling or dropping.

    ↘an abrupt fall or slope.

4》 informal a delivery.

    ↘US a letter box.

5》 a sweet or lozenge: a chocolate drop.

6》 a pendant earring.

7》 a drop cloth.

8》 the trapdoor on a gallows, through which the victim falls.

Phrases

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.

Phrasal verbs

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

1》 cease to participate.

2》 abandon a course of study.

3》 pursue an alternative lifestyle.

4》 Rugby restart play with a drop kick.

Derivatives

droppable adjective

Origin

OE dropa (n.), droppian (v.), of Gmc origin; related to drip and droop.