Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
to drop like an anvil

to drop like an anvil

9.7
To suddenly and completely stop supporting something
  • idiom
  • Informal
translation icon : abandonar de golpe
  • After the scandal broke, the sponsors dropped like an anvil from the project.

Examples

  • When the plan faced criticism, the committee dropped like an anvil without further discussion.

  • He dropped like an anvil all his investments once the market took a downturn.

  • He decided to drop like an anvil all his old habits!

  • When the project failed, she dropped like an anvil her plans.

  • After the scandal broke, the sponsors dropped like an anvil from the project without looking back.

  • He dropped like an anvil all his investments as soon as he heard the bad news about the market.

  • When the plan faced harsh criticism, the committee dropped like an anvil and decided to start over.

Synonyms

to drop
vsto drop like an anvil
∞ 1.0

To let something fall suddenly or by accident

is an intentional sudden rejection not an accidental falling
to abandon
vsto drop like an anvil
401 3.8

Stop supporting an idea or plan

is an abrupt and complete rejection rather than gradual withdrawal
to let it go
vsto drop like an anvil
370 3.5

To choose not to react to something annoying

is an active sudden giving up rather than calm nonreaction
to ditch
vsto drop like an anvil
  • Informal
234 4.4

To abandon a person, plan, or thing suddenly

is a sudden, complete rejection made without hesitation
to forsake
vsto drop like an anvil
38 6.9

To leave someone who needs your help

is sudden total rejection not focused on leaving in need

Antonyms

to adopt
440 3.2

To start using a new idea, method, or policy

to embrace
390 3.9

To accept and start to use an idea or way of life

How Abrupt

to drop like an anvil
  • Informal
9.7
to ditch
  • Informal
234 4.4
to drop
∞ 3.1
to abandon
401 3.8
to put aside
103 3.4

Surface Forms

drop like an anvil infinitive

Morphology

drop + like + an + anvil

The imagery is partly transparent: 'drop' (abandon/let fall) combined with 'anvil' (a very heavy object) connected by 'like' signals a sudden, heavy, complete action, so learners can infer abruptness and finality. However, mapping that imagery specifically to the idiomatic sense 'abandon or reject something' (rather than literal falling) is metaphorical and somewhat idiosyncratic and the phrase is uncommon, so a B1 learner would not reliably derive the exact idiomatic meaning without exposure.

Etymology

The idiom drop like an anvil shows the verb drop and the heavy noun anvil: imagine a very heavy tool falling straight down and hitting hard with no warning. So it means 'to abandon or reject something suddenly and completely'.