drop out
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle out
Meanings
Stop attending a school or course before finishing
Why “out”? Someone leaves a plan, group, promise, or activity they were part of.
“He dropped out of university.”
“Lena dropped out of the course.”
Common mistake
She dropped out university.
She dropped out of university.
Use drop out of.
Natural collocations
The word partners “drop out” most often appears with — learn the phrase, not just the verb.
Don't confuse with
Drop out means leave a course before finishing. Drop off means take someone or something to a place and leave it there.
Test yourself
“He dropped out of university.” 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
back out
Same out pattern: withdrawal
Withdraw from a commitment or agreement
chicken out
Same out pattern: withdrawal
Decide not to do something at the last minute because you are afraid
get out
Same out pattern: withdrawal
Leave a room, car or building; Become known publicly, often by accident; Leave home to meet people or enjoy free time; Manage to escape from a situation; Remove a stain or mark from something; Produce or manage to say words; Publish or release something to the public
log out
Same out pattern: withdrawal
End a computer or online session
opt out
Same out pattern: withdrawal
Choose not to take part in something
pull out
Same out pattern: withdrawal
Withdraw from a commitment
sign out
Same out pattern: withdrawal
End a computer or online session
Tell it apart
Side-by-side comparisons with the verbs learners most often confuse for “drop out”.
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