drop back
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle back
Meanings
Move to a position further behind
Why “back”? Back creates distance or reduces progress. The change can affect a place, position, amount, promise, or plan.
“He dropped back to last place.”
“The runner dropped back behind the group.”
Don't confuse with
Drop back means move to a position further behind. Drop off means take and leave someone or something at a location.
Test yourself
“He dropped back to last place.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
drop off
A contrast learners often mix up
Take and leave someone or something at a location; Fall asleep, often unintentionally; Decrease in number, level or amount; Detach and fall away from something
cut back
Same back pattern: distance
Reduce sharply, especially expenditure; Reduce the amount of something, especially spending
die back
Same back pattern: distance
(of a plant) lose leaves and branches above ground while the roots survive
draw back
Same back pattern: distance
Move yourself away in hesitation
drive back
Same back pattern: distance
Force an attacker to retreat
edge back
Same back pattern: distance
Move backward in small cautious steps
fall back
Same back pattern: distance
Move backwards quickly, often in retreat; Use something as a backup when other options fail; Move into a position behind others
go back
Same back pattern: distance
Return to a place; (of a friendship or history) date from a particular time; Withdraw from a promise or agreement
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