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Glite Dictionary
to drop behind

to drop behind

2 3.2
To fall behind others because you move or work more slowly
  • phrasal verb
translation icon : quedarse atrás
  • As the hike became steeper, several hikers started to drop behind the main group.
  • drop far behind

Examples

  • I dropped behind him and stayed 7 meters off his back.

    Blog text (19)

  • But he's dropping way behind now.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • Not wanting to drop too far behind, Johnny walks a little forward on the board.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • Rachel dropped behind a couch as Bobby sauntered into the house.

    Fiction book (2001)

  • He dropped behind, scooped up the box, and quickened his pace to offer it.

    Fiction book (1990)

  • They're dropping behind.

    Midnight (1982)

  • During the race, he began to drop behind the other competitors as he struggled to keep up.

  • If you don't pick up the pace, you will drop behind the rest of the team.

Synonyms

to trail
vsto drop behind
91 2.2

Move slowly and fall behind others

focuses on failing to keep pace, not only physical following
to get behind
vsto drop behind
47 3.0

To fail to keep up with work or a schedule

is about moving more slowly relative to people rather than schedules
to hang back
vsto drop behind
34 4.6

To hesitate and stay behind the group

means moving more slowly due to pace, not hesitation
to lag
vsto drop behind
24 3.0

To move or develop more slowly than others

is about ending up in a later position rather than only slow progress
to drop back
vsto drop behind
17 3.6

To move to a position behind other players, for example to prepare a pass or to help defend

describes moving more slowly rather than choosing a new position
to fall back
vsto drop behind
8 3.8

To move behind others in speed or progress

means moving more slowly and ending in a lower position
to bring up the rear
vsto drop behind
7 4.6

To be the last person or thing in a group that is moving

describes lagging in pace, not only occupying the final spot
to fall behind
vsto drop behind
2 3.5

To move back when others move forward

is about moving slowly and failing to keep up
to strag
vsto drop behind
9.9

To fall behind when moving with others

emphasizes general slowness, not specifically separating during travel
to left at the post
vsto drop behind
  • Informal
8.0

Fail to keep up from the start while others move ahead

means failing to keep up later rather than being missed at the start

Antonyms

to keep up
507 2.8

To continue at the same speed or level as others

How Far

to drop behind
2 3.2
to lag
24 3.0
to trail
91 2.2

Surface Forms

drop behind infinitive
dropped behind past
dropped behind past participle
dropping behind present participle
drops behind third person singular

Morphology

drop + behind

The meaning 'to fall to a position behind others' is directly and transparently derived from combining 'drop' (to fall/decline) with 'behind' (in a less advanced or delayed position). This motion/position composition is a common, predictable pattern in English (and mirrored in many languages), so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

Drop behind comes from the image of someone in a group who slows down and literally drops to a place behind the others. So it now means 'to move more slowly than others' or 'fail to keep up'.