drop off
1. verb To leave someone or something at the destination to which one has transported it. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "drop" and "off." When do I need to drop the kids off at soccer practice? I'll come to your house tonight and drop off your cake pan. Sure, you can borrow my notes. I'll drop them off to you when I get out of my last class.
2. verb To happen less often than is normal or typical. Is Kelly mad at me? We used to talk all the time, but our conversations have really dropped off lately. A: "Is Shelly OK? Her attendance in my classes has really dropped off." B: "Oh yeah, I think she has mono." It was painful to watch our texts drop off after we'd broken up.
3. verb To decline significantly. Don't sign that defenseman—his play has really dropped off as he's gotten older. That business had to close after sales dropped off sharply. People always make New Year's resolutions to go to the gym more, and their workouts always drop off by February.
4. verb To release someone or something from one's grasp (and let it fall) from a particular place (which is listed after "off"). In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "drop" and "off." We dropped rocks off the bridge and listened to them splash into the river. My daughter likes when I drop her off the ledge into the pool. Each student's egg will be dropped off a 12-foot ladder. Their assignment is to devise a contraption that will keep it from breaking.
5. verb To fall asleep quickly or easily. If you turn on the baby's mobile, she'll drop off without a fuss. I didn't even hear you come in last night—I was so tired that I dropped off as soon as my head hit the pillow. I'm an insomniac and my husband always drops off no problem—it's so annoying.
6. verb To die. At least Grandpa just dropped off in his sleep, rather than after some long illness. She was so young, though. How did she just drop off on the operating table? You know that goldfish is going to drop off in a matter of days, and Susie's going to be devastated.
7. noun A significant decline. In this usage, the phrase is usually hyphenated. Don't sign that defenseman—there's been a real drop-off in his play as he's gotten older. That business had to close after suffering a major drop-off in sales. I knew that actor was popular, but I didn't expect such a drop-off in viewers after he left the show.
8. noun A precipitous descent. In this usage, the phrase is usually hyphenated. We aren't experienced enough skiers to go down a drop-off like that and survive! I hate roller coasters that are in the dark. If there's gonna be a big drop-off, I need to see it coming! I don't know, that's an awfully big drop-off. I don't think we should go down it on out bikes.
9. noun A place where someone or something is left or delivered. In this usage, the phrase is usually hyphenated. Where is the drop-off for clothing donations? I'm supposed to take my sister's kids to school tomorrow, so I need to find out where the drop-off is. The drop-off for all packages is the mail room down the hill.
10. adjective Describing a place were someone or something can be left or delivered. In this usage, the phrase is usually hyphenated. Where is the drop-off box for clothing donations? A: "Dude, I just found an envelope full of cash!" B: "Do you think this is the drop-off point for some sort of illicit activity?" Ugh, I was trying to park and somehow ended up stuck behind cars in the drop-off area.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
drop someone or something off something
and drop someone or something offto let someone or something fall from something; to make someone or something fall from something. They dropped the feather off the top of the building. Jake dropped off a feather and it fell to the ground.
drop someone or something off
(some place) 1. . Lit. to let someone or a group out of a vehicle at a particular place; to deliver someone or something some place. Let's drop these shirts off at the cleaners. Let's drop off Tom and Jerry at the hamburger joint.
2. Fig. to give someone or a group a ride to some place. Can I drop you off somewhere in town? I dropped off the kids at the party.
drop off (to sleep)
Fig. to go to sleep without difficulty; to fall asleep. I sat in the warm room for five minutes, and then I dropped off to sleep. After I've eaten dinner, I can drop off with no trouble at all.
drop off
1. . Lit. [for a part of something] to break away and fall off. The car's bumper just dropped off—honest. I lifted boxes until I thought my arms would drop off.
2. Fig. to decline. Attendance at the meetings dropped off after Martin became president. Spending dropped off as the recession became worse.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
drop off
1. Fall asleep, as in When I looked at Grandma, she had dropped off. [Early 1800s]
2. Decrease; also, become less frequent. For example, Sales have dropped off markedly, or Over the year her visits dropped off. [Early 1800s]
3. Deliver, unload, as in Bill dropped off the package at the office.
4. Die, as in He is so ill he could drop off any time. [Early 1800s]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.