drop off
phrasal verb·4 senses·particle off
Meanings
Take and leave someone or something at a location
Why “off”? The whole object launches away from where it stood.
“I'll drop you off at the station.”
“Can you drop the parcel off at reception?”
Fall asleep, often unintentionally
Why “off”? A continuous line is snipped. The activity stops.
“He dropped off in front of the TV.”
“Maya dropped off on the bus.”
Decrease in number, level or amount
“Sales dropped off in winter.”
“Attendance dropped off after lunch.”
Detach and fall away from something
Why “off”? A piece detaches from the whole. Contact with the body is broken.
“Leaves drop off in autumn.”
“The button dropped off my coat.”
Don't confuse with
Test yourself
“I'll drop you off at the station.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
drop back
A contrast learners often mix up
Move to a position further behind
drop out
A contrast learners often mix up
Stop attending a school or course before finishing
back off
Same off pattern: separation
Move away from someone or something, often in retreat; Stop pressuring or interfering with someone; Withdraw from a previous position or commitment
bite off
Same off pattern: separation
Remove a piece of something by biting it; Take on more than you can handle ("bite off more than you can chew"); Speak sharply and curtly
blast off
Same off pattern: departure
Launch into the sky with great force
block off
Same off pattern: separation
Close off an area or route to prevent access; Reserve a period of time for a specific purpose
blow off
Same off pattern: separation
Be removed by force, especially wind; Cancel plans or fail to meet someone deliberately; Release strong feelings, especially anger; Remove dust or particles by blowing air on them
break off
Same off pattern: stopping
End a relationship, talk or activity suddenly; Detach a piece from something larger by breaking; End diplomatic, business or personal contact; Take a short pause from an activity
Tell it apart
Side-by-side comparisons with the verbs learners most often confuse for “drop off”.
Practice “drop off” in Sink In
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