drop off

/ˌdrɑp ˈɔf/
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To leave someone or something at a place, become less, or gently fall asleep.

Examples

  • I need to drop off this parcel at the post office.
  • I heard the rain as I was dropping off.
  • The taxi dropped us off outside the theatre.
  • He nearly dropped off at his desk after lunch.
  • The signal begins to drop off beyond this point.

Similar words

nod off
decline
fall off
drift off
decrease
take
deliver
fall asleep
set down
leave

Meanings

Take and leave at a place

transport
informal
To take a person or thing to a place, often as part of a journey, and leave them or it there.

Examples

  • Can you drop me off at the station?
  • She dropped the children off at school before work.
  • I need to drop off this parcel at the post office.
  • The taxi dropped us off outside the theatre.
  • He dropped off the keys on his way home.

Similar words

Become less

measurement
neutral
To become lower in amount, level, quality, or activity, sometimes quite quickly.

Examples

  • Sales usually drop off after the holiday season.
  • Attendance dropped off when the weather turned cold.
  • The signal begins to drop off beyond this point.
  • Her concentration dropped off late in the afternoon.
  • Orders have dropped off sharply this month.

Similar words

Fall asleep

sleep
informal
To fall asleep, especially gently or without meaning to.

Examples

  • I dropped off during the second half of the film.
  • The baby finally dropped off in my arms.
  • She was so tired that she dropped off immediately.
  • I heard the rain as I was dropping off.
  • He nearly dropped off at his desk after lunch.

Similar words

Etymology

Built from drop, meaning to fall or let something fall, and off, which adds the idea of separation or movement away. The different senses all suggest leaving a previous place, level, or waking state.

FAQ

What does drop off mean?

It can mean taking someone or something somewhere and leaving them, becoming less, or falling asleep.

Can drop off be separated?

In the delivery sense, yes. Both “drop the parcel off” and “drop off the parcel” are natural.

What is the opposite of drop off?

For transport, pick up is the usual opposite. For a decrease, increase or pick up may fit.

Is drop off informal?

The transport and sleep senses are conversational. The decrease sense is also common in neutral reports.

How is drop off pronounced?

It is pronounced /ˌdrɑp ˈɔf/ in a common American accent.

Is drop-off the same expression?

The hyphenated form drop-off is normally a noun or adjective, while drop off is the phrasal verb.

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