drop back
1. To move away from someone or something, especially to provide space and privacy. Hey guys, can you drop back a little so that I can talk to this girl alone? The bodyguard tried to get the photographers to drop back while the singer exited her vehicle. Honey, maybe the cat will come out from under the couch if you drop back a little.
2. In American football, to move back behind the line of scrimmage. The quarterback is known for dropping back very quickly before he throws. I dropped back and surveyed my options for a forward pass. Please tell me our QB didn't just drop back and get sacked. Ugh.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
drop back
1. . to fall back to an original position. His arm raised up and then dropped back. The lid dropped back to its original position as soon as we let go of it.
2. to go slowly and lose one's position in a march or procession. He dropped back a bit and evened up the spacing in the line of marchers. He got tired and dropped back a little.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
drop back
Step back, retreat. For example, When it was time for a group picture, Mary dropped back.
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.
drop back
v.1. To take a position behind some group by moving more slowly: I dropped back behind the group of my friends and walked alone on the beach.
2. Football To back away from the line of scrimmage: The quarterback dropped back to throw a pass.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.