drop
• verb (dropped, dropping) 1 fall or cause to fall. 2 sink to the ground. 3 make or become lower, weaker, or less. 4 abandon or discontinue. 5 (often drop off) set down or unload (a passenger or goods). 6 place or leave (something) without ceremony. 7 informal collapse from exhaustion. 8 lose (a point, a match, etc.). 9 mention casually. (of an animal) give birth to. • noun 1 a small round or pear-shaped portion of liquid. 2 an instance of falling or dropping. 3 a small drink, especially of alcohol. 4 an abrupt fall or slope. 5 informal a delivery. 6 a sweet or lozenge. — PHRASES at the drop of a hat informal without delay or good reason. drop back/behind fall back or get left behind. drop by/in visit informally and briefly. 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 a previously watchful attitude. a drop in the ocean a very small amount compared with what is needed. drop a line informal send (someone) a note or letter. drop off fall asleep, especially without intending to. drop out 1 cease to participate. 2 pursue an alternative lifestyle. — ORIGIN Old English, related to DRIP and DROOP.
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