to drop off
3
2.9
- phrasal verb
- /drɑp ɔf/
:
caerse
- He tried olive trees, but the fruit dropped off before it ripened.
- drop off the cliff
- drop off the side
- drop off the edge
Examples
-
The lake was shallow for several yards before it dropped off swiftly.
Fiction book (1998) -
We went about a mile beyond where he dropped off.
-
The doctor's records say the last time... somebody got dropped off here was five weeks ago.
-
I had to do a few jobs down the street after I dropped off Nicola this morning at school.
Blog text (22) -
Winter ticks survive better when they drop off moose onto bare ground instead of onto snow, says Peterson.
Academic text (2009) -
In autumn, the leaves will drop off the trees, covering the ground in vibrant colors.
-
As the storm raged on, many small branches began to drop off the old oak tree.
-
During the renovation, several tiles started to drop off the wall unexpectedly.
Synonyms
∞
1.0
Move or drop down from a higher to a lower place
250
1.0
Suddenly move from a standing position to the ground or a lower level
131
3.5
To become loose and fall off
117
2.3
Separate from something by breaking or dropping
93
5.8
Fall suddenly and steeply from a high place or in amount
34
1.8
To fall from a higher place to a lower place
Antonyms
How Detached
16
4.0
1
5.8
3
2.9
85
1.4
503
2.3
363
3.5
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'to fall from a position' is directly and compositionally derived from 'drop' (to fall or let fall) plus 'off' (away from a surface/place). This is a common, literal verb+particle spatial construction found across languages, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents will readily infer the MWE meaning.
Etymology
Drop off The phrasal verb drop off is very literal here: something drops off where it was held and falls away, like a picture falling from a wall. So, it means 'to fall from a place' or become detached.