drop1 verbdrop2 noun
dropdrop1 /drɒp $ drɑːp/ ●●● S1 W2 verb (past tense and past participle dropped, present participle dropping) 
WORD ORIGINdrop1
Origin:
Old English droppianVERB TABLE
drop
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | drop |
| he, she, it | drops | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | dropped |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have dropped |
| he, she, it | has dropped | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had dropped |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will drop |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have dropped |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am dropping |
| he, she, it | is dropping | |
| you, we, they | are dropping | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was dropping |
| you, we, they | were dropping | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been dropping |
| he, she, it | has been dropping | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been dropping |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be dropping |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been dropping |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- A few pine cones had already dropped to the ground.
- Allied planes began dropping bombs at midnight Tuesday.
- As soon as she saw him she dropped her suitcases and ran towards him.
- Barbara dropped her voice so Nelson wouldn't hear.
- Be careful not to drop that bowl, it's very valuable.
- Because of strong opposition, the government has dropped plans to increase taxes on fuel.
- Getz dropped McCallum with a right blow to the jaw.
- He couldn't run fast enough, so the coach dropped him.
- Her hands shake constantly and she keeps dropping things.
- I'll drop you at the corner, okay?
- I'm too busy to just drop everything and go out for the day.
- I dropped my sunglasses and they broke.
- I don't think this article will be of interest to our readers. Let's drop it.
- I have to drop 25 pounds to fit in the costume.
- I nearly dropped my glass on the floor when they said I'd won.
- I need to drop off these papers at Bob's.
- I think I may drop French next year and concentrate on my other languages.
- If you take four classes you can drop one later if you need to.
- Margaret dropped the letters onto her desk.
- Marian has dropped all her old friends since she started college.
- A buyer might say that he is willing to buy if the seller drops his price by £100.
- Clarisa reclaimed him an hour later as the sun dropped into the ocean.
- He dropped a potential game-winning touchdown pass in the end zone on fourth down against Green Bay with 11 seconds left.
- Lily dropped a cube of sugar into her champagne and they clinked glasses, still laughing.
- Minnesota Educational Computing Corp., which sells educational software, dropped 15 percent, or 3, to 17.
- Studies had shown that the more assessment tests a student failed, the likelier that student was to drop out.
THESAURUS
formal to deliberately not include someone or something, especially in a way that seems wrong or unfair: · The new law protects most workers, but excludes those on part-time contracts.
formal to not include something, especially a piece of information, either deliberately or because you forget: · Sara’s name had been omitted from the list of employees.
to not include someone or something, either deliberately or accidentally. Leave out is more common in everyday English than exclude or omit: · Fans were shocked that Giggs had been left out of the team.· You must have left out one of the numbers.
British to not include someone or something that should be included, often by mistake: · You missed out several important facts.· They’ve missed out the last letter of his name.
to decide not to include someone or something – used especially about not including someone in a team: · He was dropped from the team because of injury.· The company decided to drop the word ‘healthy’ from its advertising.
formal used when saying that a rule, law, agreement etc does not affect someone or something: · People with bad eyesight were exempt from military service.· High technology equipment would be exempted from any trade agreement.
to become less in number or amount: · The average rainfall has decreased by around 30 percent.
to decrease. Go down is less formal than decrease and is the usual word to use in conversation: · Unemployment has gone down in the past few months.
formal to decrease – used with numbers or amounts, or about the level or standard of something: · The standard of living has declined.· Support for the government is steadily declining.· Salaries have declined by around 4.5%.
to become smaller or less important: · Union membership diminished from 30,000 at its height to just 2,000 today.
to decrease, especially by a large amount. Fall and drop are less formal than decrease: · The number of tigers in the wild has fallen to just over 10,000.· At night, the temperature drops to minus 20 degrees.
to suddenly decrease very quickly and by a very large amount: · Share prices have plummeted 29% in the last four months.· Climate change could cause global temperatures to plummet.
if a price or value slides, it gradually decreases in a way that causes problems – used especially in news reports: · The dollar fell in late trading in New York yesterday and slid further this morning.
to gradually decrease until there is very little left of something, especially numbers or amounts, popularity, or importance: · Support for the theory is dwindling.
if a number or the amount of an activity that is happening tapers off, it gradually decreases, especially so that it stops completely: · Political violence tapered off after the elections.
Longman Language Activatorto get cold or colder · It's getting colder - I guess winter's on its way.· Hey, John, your soup's getting cold.
if the weather or the wind turns cold or colder , it becomes much colder, usually suddenly: · I need to finish fixing the roof before the weather turns cold.· The wind had turned cold and Billy took off his coat and gave it to the girl.
if the temperature drops or falls it becomes colder, often much colder in a short period of time: · Fortunately the temperature never dropped low enough to freeze the pipes.drop 10/20/30 etc degrees: · The temperature dropped 10 degrees during the night.
if something cools down , it becomes colder after being hot: · It's been hot all summer, but it's finally starting to cool down a little.· If the engine overheats, switch it off and do not start it again until it has cooled down.
if hot food or some other hot substance cools , it becomes colder: · She took the cake out of the oven and left it on the kitchen table to cool.· Most liquids contract steadily as they cool.
unconventional very different from the way people usually behave, think, dress etc: · His business methods were unconventional but successful.· Her unconventional opinions finally cost her her job.· The two never lived in the same house, but their unconventional marriage lasted over 30 years.
alternative methods, ideas, ways of living etc are completely different from the ones that most people think are normal, and are based on different principles: alternative medicine/lifestyle/music etc: · Alternative medicine can cure many problems but not diseases like cancer.· San Francisco has a long history of accepting the city's many alternative lifestyles.
ideas, behaviour, or methods that are unorthodox are original and different from what is usual or the accepted principles of a profession, religion etc: · There was no tolerance of unorthodox political views.· Treating the disease with a diet rather than with medicine is an unorthodox approach that few doctors recommend.
not wanting to think or behave in the same way as most ordinary people, or to follow accepted ways of doing things: · As a writer he remained nonconformist all his life, always searching for new means of expression.
to decide not to work or take part in normal society because you want to be different and live life your own way: · He advised young people to "turn on, tune in, and drop out".drop out of: · She decided to drop out of the rat race because she couldn't stand working 60 hours a week.
to die because you are old or ill to stop being alive, as a result of old age or illness: · I want to see Ireland again before I die.· Many people are worried about growing old and dying alone.· No wonder your plants always die - you don't water them enough.die of: · His son died of liver cancer three years ago.die in your sleep (=die while you are sleeping): · In the spring of her 93rd year, Miss Grantley died in her sleep.die a natural death/die of natural causes (=die as a result of illness or old age): · The autopsy said he had died of natural causes, but his family is not convinced.
to die - use this when you want to avoid using the word 'die', because you think it might upset someone: · Have you heard? Carl passed away last night.· My wife had just passed away, and I didn't want to be around people.
spoken if someone drops dead , they die very suddenly and unexpectedly, especially when they are in the middle of doing something: · One of their neighbors just dropped dead on the tennis court.· McSherry dropped dead of a heart attack in the middle of a baseball game.
spoken informal also snuff it British to die - use this humorously when you are not being serious: · When I kick the bucket you'll be able to live on my life insurance.· I feel like I've done everything I wanted to - I might as well snuff it.
to go down to go down some stairs, a ladder, a slope etc: · You go down a steep slope, then turn left at the bottom of the hill.· Right, here's the ladder. Who's going down first?go down to: · I'll go down (=downstairs) to the kitchen and get you a glass of water.
if a plane, bomb etc comes down somewhere, it comes down to the ground there, especially by accident: · Airline officials believe that the plane came down somewhere in the Andes mountains.· One of the missiles came down in a heavily populated suburb of Beirut.
to fall straight downwards through the air: · When I let go of her hand, it dropped like a stone.drop onto/from/off etc: · The bottle rolled across the table, dropped onto the floor, and smashed.· One of your buttons has dropped off.
to come down through the air from a higher place: · Just as we were about to leave the house, rain began to fall.fall from/down/on etc: · Leaves were falling from the trees.· Bombs fell on the streets, destroying neighbouring homes, but leaving the school intact.
written to go down a slope, a mountain etc slowly and carefully: · Slowly the two climbers descended the cliff face.descend into/from etc: · We descended into the cave by a rope ladder.
if a plane or a bird dives , it moves quickly down through the air: · The engine did not re-start, and the plane dived to the ground.· The hawk stopped in mid-flight before diving down on its prey.
if a plane or a bird lands , it comes down to the ground in a controlled way: · He loves watching planes take off and land at the airport.land in/on/at: · We will be landing at Singapore airport at 3 am local time.· A flock of Canada geese landed on the river in front of us.
if a plane touches down , it arrives safely on the ground at an airport but has not yet stopped moving: · The King's private plane touched down at Heathrow airport at exactly 12.15 this afternoon.· We will be touching down in about an hour's time.
to move something down or let it move down if you drop something that you are holding, it suddenly falls from your hands, especially accidentally: · You've dropped your handkerchief.· Be careful not to drop that bowl, it's very valuable.drop something onto/on/in something: · I nearly dropped my glass on the floor when they said I'd won.
if you put an object down , you put it on the ground or another surface; if you put your hand, head etc down , you move it into a lower position: · Put the gun down.· OK, you can all put your hands down now.
to move an object or your body into a lower position: · We need to lower the mirror in the bathroom.lower your head/arms/body: · Lowering its head, the bull charged at him.lower something into/onto/over etc something: · The coffin was lowered slowly into the ground.lower yourself into/onto something (=sit down slowly and carefully): · The old man lowered himself wearily into his chair.
to let something fall or make something fall to stop holding something so that it falls, especially accidentally: · Watch you don't drop that box - it's very heavy.· Her hands shake constantly and she keeps dropping things.· You dropped your toy. Do you want it back?drop something on/onto something: · Margaret dropped the letters onto her desk.
to hit something so that it falls onto its side from an upright position, especially when you do this accidentally: knock something over: · Be careful or you'll knock the vase over.knock over something: · He bumped into the table and knocked over the candle.
to accidentally let liquid, powder, or small pieces of something fall onto a surface and spread out over it: · Oops, I just spilled my water.spill something down/all over/onto something: · "How was the party?" "OK, but some idiot spilled wine all over my new dress."· Aaron spilled all the popcorn on the floor.
to make something fall over, usually accidentally, by making it lose balance: tip something over: · The cat managed to tip the Christmas tree over.tip over something: · He accidentally tipped over a candle, and the tablecloth caught fire.
to make something fall on its side or turn something over completely, especially by pushing it very hard: · The wind was so strong that it overturned dustbins and wrecked fences.· Protestors overturned cars and set fire to them.
to accidentally knock or push something over, so that its contents fall out and spread over a wide area: · One of the kids upset a bottle of water on the table.
to fall through the air to the ground · One of the climbers fell fifty feet.· A light rain was falling.fall out/into/from etc · She opened the cupboard and everything fell out.· There should be spaces between the boards of the deck to allow debris to fall through.· Fred fell out of the tree and broke his arm.· The girl had fallen from a fourth-floor window, but was not badly hurt.fall on · Careful that box doesn't fall on you, Charlotte!
to accidentally fall from something in a high position to the ground: · Jim was laughing so hard he fell off his chair.· A bag of groceries fell off the table onto the floor.
to suddenly fall a long way from somewhere high up: · The aeroplane's engines failed and it plunged into the ocean.plunge off/down/into etc: · Their car swerved to avoid a truck, and plunged off the cliff.plunge to your death (=fall a long way and be killed): · A skydiver plunged to his death yesterday when his parachute failed to open.
to fall from somewhere high up, very quickly and very directly: · The rope snapped, causing the climber to plummet several hundred feet down the mountain.· Two aircraft on a training flight collided and plummeted to the ground.
to fall suddenly from a high place straight down onto or towards the ground: drop onto/to/from etc: · Two bottles rolled across the table, dropped onto the floor, and smashed.· A few pine cones had already dropped to the ground.
to fall quickly through the air, rolling over and over: tumble down/off/from etc: · A little girl tumbled about 30 feet from the window of her family's third-floor apartment.
if rain, snow etc comes down , it falls heavily: · We can't go out now -- the rain's really coming down.· Snow was coming down so thickly I could barely see through the window.
to stop holding something to stop holding something or someone: · Let go! You're hurting me.let go of: · She wouldn't let go of the letter.· At the end of the fair, the school let go of hundreds of balloons.
to stop holding something suddenly, especially by accident, so that it falls to the ground: · I dropped my sunglasses and they broke.· As soon as she saw him she dropped her suitcases and ran towards him.
especially written to stop holding something, especially someone's hand, wrist, arm etc: · He took hold of my hand but then released it again quickly.
to not include someone or something to not include someone or something, either deliberately or accidentally: leave somebody/something out of something: · Fans were shocked that Giggs had been left out of the team.leave out somebody/something: · He briefly told us what had happened, leaving out the more gruesome details.leave somebody/something out: · I went through a list of people to be thanked, and hoped I hadn't left anyone out.
formal to deliberately not include someone or something, especially in a way that seems wrong or unfair: · The new law protects most workers, but excludes those on part-time contracts.exclude somebody from something: · She felt they were deliberately excluding her from their plans.
formal to not include something, especially a piece of information, either deliberately or because you forget: · Please do not omit any details, however trivial they may seem.omit something from something: · Sara's name had been omitted from the list of employees.
British to not include someone or something that should be included, often by mistake: miss out somebody/something: · You missed out several important facts.miss somebody/something out: · Those are the people I'm inviting. Did I miss anyone out?
informal to suddenly remove something or someone from a list, plan etc, because there is a good reason for not including them: · I don't think this article will be of interest to our readers. Let's drop it.drop something from something: · The coach just announced that Henri will be dropped from the team.
to permanently leave your school, college etc · I hated school and couldn't wait to leave.· I worked in an office when I first left school.· In the past, girls tended to leave full-time education earlier than boys.
to successfully finish your studies at a university or at an American high school or college: · What are you going to do after you graduate?· When I graduate I want to study law at the Northeastern university.graduate from: · We both graduated from the same high school in Queens.
to leave school, college, or university before your course of study has finished and have no intention of returning: college/high-school dropout: · One third of the city's students drop out before graduation.drop out of: · He dropped out of art college and joined a band.
when prices, numbers etc become less to become less: · Attendance at the school's basketball games has gone down significantly in the last few years.· I'm hoping the price will come down if I wait a while.
to become less, especially by a large amount: · Sales have fallen dramatically in Houston and Toronto.fall/drop to: · At night, the temperature drops to -20°C.fall/drop from something to something: · Profits fell from £98.5 million to £76 million.
to become less - used especially in writing about business or technical subjects: · Experts say that the time parents spend with their children is decreasing.decrease to: · The speed of rotation gradually decreases to zero.
a gradual decrease in the number or amount of something good or important so that the situation becomes worse: · Firms with large debts may not have the financial strength to survive a prolonged sales decline or a recession.decline in: · We can expect a further decline in job vacancies.
when a price, level etc is reduced - use this when something is reduced deliberately: · New production methods led to a cost reduction of about 50 percent.reduction in: · Cleaner fuel has contributed to a reduction in air pollution.· a reduction in working hours
a reduction in the amount or size of something made by a government or large organization - use this especially when talking about politics or business: cut in: · Cuts in the education budget have led to fewer teachers and larger classes.pay/job/tax cuts (=cuts in wages, number of jobs, or taxes): · The whole team agreed to take pay cuts, rather than see their colleagues lose their jobs.· Some senators have called for huge tax cuts to stimulate the economy.
to drop very rapidly and by a large amount: · As soon as the sun went down, the temperature plummeted.· The drought has caused the price of hay to soar, and the price of cattle has plummeted.plummet/plunge 20 degrees/thirty points etc: · The stock market plunged 30 points when the news was announced.
if a number or the amount of activity happening tapers off , it gradually decreases: · Towards sunset, the rain began to taper off.
if supplies or numbers of something dwindle , they gradually decrease: · The country's foreign currency reserves have dwindled over the past few years.dwindle to: · The original platoon of 30 men had dwindled to 12.
if a price or value slides it gradually decreases in a way that causes problems - used especially in news reports: · Prices will continue to slide unless production is reduced.· The dollar fell in late trading in New York yesterday and slid further this morning.
also nosedive informal if the price or value of something takes a nosedive , it becomes lower very quickly and causes problems. If an economy takes a nosedive it become worse very quickly: · Since January, sales of cars and trucks, including minivans, have nosedived.· Shares on the stock exchange took another nosedive Friday.
a small amount of food or drink · "Would you like some more coffee?" "Just a little."a little water/meat/cake etc · The next day Mark felt well enough to eat a little solid food.· Would you like a little ice cream with your pie?a little of (=a small amount of a specific food, drink etc) · I think I'll try a little of the casserole.a little more/less · If I were you I'd use a little less salt next time.
also a bit especially British informal a small amount: · "Can I serve you some soup?" "Alright, but just a little bit."a little bit of: · He only ate a little bit of dinner and then went straight to bed.· Would you like a bit of bacon with your eggs?· We still have a little bit of cheese left, if you want it.a (little) bit more/less: · Can I have a bit more red wine, please?
only a little - use this especially when you expect or need more: · "How much cake do you want?" "Not much, I'm on a diet."not much water/meat/cake etc: · There's not much wine left, but I think we can each have a glass.not much to eat/drink: · We need to do some shopping - there isn't much to eat at home.not very much: · You haven't eaten very much. Do you feel okay?
a very small amount, usually so small that there is not enough to have an effect, be useful etc: · We drink only occasionally, and even then very little.very little water/meat/cake etc: · The soup is made with lots of vegetables but very little chicken.very little of: · He ate very little of the food we had given him.
also scarcely any especially British almost none at all: · I thought you liked my lasagne, but you've eaten hardly any.hardly any water/meat/cake etc: · There's barely any sugar in these cookies at all.· Since his heart attack he's eaten scarcely any red meat.
informal a small amount of something that you drink: · "Do you take cream in your coffee?" "Yes, just a drop, please."drop of: · Would you like a drop of soda in your whisky?· He hasn't had a drop of alcohol in 20 years.
a small amount of a powder such as salt, flour etc which you can hold between your thumb and first finger: pinch of: · Add a pinch of salt and half a cup of breadcrumbs.· The stew normally tastes better with a pinch or two of dried herbs.
a very small amount of a liquid which is added to a drink or to food, usually in order to give it a stronger taste: dash of: · It's just vodka with orange juice and a dash of lime juice.· The secret of this sauce is a couple of dashes of brandy added just at the end.
to reject ideas, beliefs, or ways of living to reject ideas, beliefs, or ways of living, especially when you used to accept them in the past: · As an adult, she rejected her Catholic upbringing.· Vegetarians reject the idea that you must eat meat to get all the nutrients you need.· Feminists rejected traditional notions of the role of women in society.
to completely change your former beliefs and way of life, especially because you now think that they were wrong: · I had a sense of relief as I turned my back on the disasters of my first marriage.· Some journalists accused him of turning his back on a lot of the party's major principles.
to reject ideas, values, or behaviour because you think they are stupid, wrong, or old-fashioned: · My kids used to scorn my politics as right-wing selfishness.scorn something as something: · Many young people scorn polite behaviour as insincere.
to refuse to live the way that other people usually live in your society, for example by not working in a job or living in an ordinary house: · While kids in the affluent sixties could afford to drop out, things were very different ten years later.· A group of young people dropped out and set up a commune in the middle of the forest.
to say something in an indirect way to say something that seems to mean that another thing is true, but without saying the other thing directly: · You seem to be implying something that is not quite true.imply (that): · Michael did imply that I could have the job if I wanted it.· The article implied that unemployed people are lazy and do not want to work.
to say something in an indirect way, especially something bad that you prefer not to say directly: · What are you suggesting? Do you think I'm a thief?suggest (that): · His letter seemed to suggest that he wasn't satisfied with my work.I'm not suggesting (=used for telling someone you are not criticizing them): · I'm not suggesting you deliberately tried to mislead us, just that you made a mistake.
to say something in a very indirect way, but so that other people can guess what you mean: hint (that): · Harry hinted that his friendship with Mona might have contributed to his marriage break-up.hint at: · The President hinted at the possibility of military action.
to say something that suggests that you want to do something or that you want someone to do something, but without saying it directly: drop a hint about: · She kept dropping hints about her birthday, just to make sure none of us forgot about it.· My mother dropped several hints about us wallpapering her sitting room.
if you say something in a roundabout way , you say it in an indirect way, especially to avoid offending or embarrassing someone: · I told him, in a roundabout way, that he wasn't really good enough to join my English class.
to start sleeping · Are you two going to stop talking and go to sleep?· I looked over at Dave, but he had gone to sleep.· He lay on the sofa and pretended to go to sleep.go back to sleep (=go to sleep again after waking up) · If I wake up in the night, it takes me ages to go back to sleep.
to go to sleep - use this especially when you do not intend to, when you go to sleep quickly, or when going to sleep has been difficult: · Dad always falls asleep in front of the TV after Sunday lunch.· Has Monica fallen asleep yet?· I must have fallen asleep with the light on last night.fall asleep at the wheel (=while you are driving): · One in seven road accidents is caused by drivers falling asleep at the wheel.
to go to sleep when you do not intend to and sleep lightly for a short time: · Sorry, I must have dozed off for a few minutes.· I was just beginning to doze off when the telephone rang.
to go to sleep easily and peacefully: · At around 12.30, she did eventually drop off for an hour or so.· She kept dropping off for a few minutes, before waking with a start.drop off to sleep: · Janir had dropped off to sleep on the living room couch.
to go to sleep when you are sitting down, especially when you are trying hard to stay awake: · Sarah had almost nodded off when Victor suddenly spoke.· As the speaker droned on, only the occasional nudge from my husband kept me from nodding off.
to go to sleep gradually: · He must have drifted off again, for when he awoke, the train had come to a halt.· She was just starting to drift off, when she heard a scream downstairs.drift off to sleep: · That night as he drifted off to sleep, Quincy tried to imagine what the day would have been like if Marta had been there.
British if someone, especially a baby, is off , they have started sleeping: · Is the baby off yet?· I always wait until he's off before I turn the light out.
informal to go to sleep very quickly and deeply because you are very tired: · I went back to bed, and was out like a light.· After a day on the ranch, you'll be out like a light, I can tell you.
informal to fall asleep very quickly, especially in a place where you do not normally sleep: · "Did you get any sleep last night?" "Yeah, I crashed out as soon as my head hit the pillow."· He'd flaked out on my bed.
to stop doing something without successfully completing it to stop trying to do something because it is too difficult or because you are not determined enough: · I made several attempts to repair the damage, but gave up in the end.· Come on, don't give up yet!give up something: · We will never give up our struggle.give up doing something: · I've given up trying to get her to change her mind.give something up: · We did start a protest, but gave it up when we realized we would never be successful.
especially American to stop doing something before you have successfully completed it: · Bill was cold, hungry and tired and he wanted to quit.· She was having a lot of trouble finding a job, but she refused to quit.quit doing something: · I knew I'd never be any good at school, so I just quit trying.
to stop doing something that you had planned or started, because there are too many other problems involved: · The government has now abandoned its plans to privatize parts of the health service.· All attempts to find a peaceful solution to the conflict have now been abandoned.· Owing to rough weather, the coast guard had been forced to abandon the search.
to stop doing something that you have already started or that you intended to do: · Because of strong opposition, the government has dropped plans to increase taxes on fuel.drop everything: · I'm too busy to just drop everything and go out for the day.
informal to stop doing something because you are satisfied that you have done enough: · We've got most of the heavy work done, so I think we can leave it at that for today.
to stop doing an activity that you used to do regularly · I used to play a lot of tennis, but I had to stop when I injured my knee.stop doing something · I stopped going to church after I left home.· There's not much demand for this type of car, so we stopped making them.
to stop doing something that you used to do regularly, for example because you are no longer physically able to do it: give up doing something: · As he grew older he gave up going for walks and seldom went out.· After the accident she had to give up riding and farming.give up something: · He gave up his job so that he could look after his wife.give something up: · I used to really enjoy dancing, but I had to give it up after I became ill.
to stop studying a subject at school, college, or university: · I think I may drop French next year and concentrate on my other languages.· You can drop one subject at the end of this year if you're finding you've got too much work.
to not let someone take part to not include someone in an activity or in a group: leave somebody out: · I can't believe she invited everyone else in the office and left me out.leave out somebody: · We meant to include everyone, but we accidentally left out three members.leave somebody out of something: · Her husband was always leaving her out of his plans.
to prevent someone from taking part in an activity, or from joining a group: · Joe felt sure the others were speaking Russian simply to exclude him.exclude somebody from something: · The Catholic church continues to exclude women from the priesthood.· Stack belongs to a country club that once excluded blacks and Jews from membership.
to decide that someone can no longer be in a team: · He couldn't run fast enough, so the coach dropped him.drop somebody from something: · She was dropped from the badminton team because she missed practice too often.
to not talk about a particular subject · It's been three months, but he won't talk about the accident.· She doesn't talk about her husband half as much as she did when he first died.· I don't know what my parents think about my living here - we never talk about it.
to not talk about something, because it could be embarrassing or difficult, or just because you did not think about talking about it: · Didn't she say anything about the party?· Don't say anything about the divorce - it will only upset her.· The company's policy is not to say anything about former employees other than to give their period of employment.
to not talk about something, even for a short time or carelessly: · We were careful not to mention her son's legal problems.· He doesn't mention Cathy anymore when he writes - I wonder if they broke up?not mention (that): · I didn't mention that we were going to the movies in front of John.
to deliberately not talk about something, especially because the subject could be embarrassing or difficult: · I normally keep off the subject of ex-girlfriends on a first date.· Unless the interviewer asks you directly, keep off the question of why you left your last job.
to deliberately stop talking about a particular subject, especially because it is embarrassing, upsetting, or annoying someone: · "You'll never get me to believe that!" she screeched, so I just nodded and dropped the subject.· Can we just drop the subject? I'm sick of hearing about it.· Look, just drop it, OK? I understood you the first time.
to deliberately not talk about something, especially because the subject could be embarrassing or difficult: · We try to steer clear of controversial issues in the workshops.· Her press agent asked the interviewer to steer clear of questions about her love life.
to not talk about an event or situation from the past for a long time, especially because it is very difficult to talk about: · He had kept silent about the murder for ten years before he went to the police.· They said they'd kill her if she didn't keep quiet about what she'd seen.
if you gloss over unpleasant facts, you deliberately avoid talking about them or you only mention them quickly and without giving much detail: · It seems to me he was glossing over some major risks of the plan.· In a job interview you should highlight your strengths and gloss over your weaknesses.
to visit someone for a short time especially British to visit someone for a short time: · Why don't you call on Matt on your way back from work and see how he is?· One of our salesmen would be delighted to call in on you in your own home.
especially spoken to visit someone for a short time, especially when they are not expecting you: · Lizzie said she'd drop in later to let us know what the arrangements are for tonight.· Kate dropped by this morning.drop in to see somebody: · I'll drop in to see you later.
British informal to visit someone for a very short time: · I might be able to pop in for about half an hour.· Just pop by when you've got a minute and I'll show you our holiday photographs.pop in to see somebody: · I popped in to see Keith on my way home.
British to visit someone who lives near you for a short time: · Fred calls round sometimes on his way to the sports centre.· I'll call in tomorrow then, Mum.
to write a letter or message to write someone a letter: · Sorry, I haven't had time to write.· Keith hasn't written for a while.write a letter/postcard etc to somebody: · I try to write a cheerful letter to her at least once a week.· We wrote about 20 postcards while we were in Greece.· I wasn't happy, so I wrote a nasty letter asking for my money back.write to: · He wrote to his father, asking for more money.write somebody American (=write a letter to someone): · I just wrote him saying how much I missed him being around.write back (=write a letter to someone after they have written one to you): · Why didn't you write back?write in (=to write and send a letter to an organization): · A lot of listeners wrote in and complained about the programme.
to write a letter and send it in order to buy something, take part in a competition, have something sent to you etc: write off for something: · Write off today for your free Batman poster!write off to somebody: · I wrote off to Friends of the Earth and they sent me some leaflets.
also email to send someone a message using the Internet: · Please e-mail your CV to the address below.e-mail somebody: · So, if you e-mail someone in California, you only pay local phone rates.e-mail somebody with something: · She e-mailed me with her new address, but I deleted it by mistake.
spoken informal to send someone a letter: · Why don't you give me a call or drop me a line sometime?· What do you think? Drop me a line at the Washington Post Weekend section and share your thoughts.
to write to someone, or phone them, especially someone you have not seen or written to for a long time: · I'd love to get in touch with Monique again. Do you have her new address?· We help adopted children who want to get in touch with their natural parents.
to write to someone that you do not know, or phone them, especially in order to ask for help or information: · Elsa contacted several companies to ask if they could offer her part-time work.· If the problem continues, try contacting a software expert.
to continue to write to someone or phone them, when you no longer work with them or live near them: · I met Pia in Sweden and we've stayed in touch ever since.keep/stay in touch with: · Do you keep in touch with any of your friends from school?
formal to write letters to someone and receive letters from them, especially regularly: · They started to correspond two years ago. correspond with: · I'm a 21-year old Kenyan student who wishes to correspond with students from Britain or the US.
WORD SETSbackwater, nounbank, nounbank, verbbare, adjectivebarrier reef, nounbay, nounbayou, nounbeach, nounbeck, nounbelt, nounbillow, nounbiting, adjectivebitter, adjectiveblack ice, nounblast, nounblazing, adjectivebleach, verbblizzard, nounblow, verbblowy, adjectivebluff, nounbluster, verbblustery, adjectivebog, nounboiling, adjectiveboulder, nounbracing, adjectivebreaker, nounbreeze, nounbreezy, adjectivebrook, nounbrush, nounbrushwood, nounburn, nounbutte, nouncanyon, nouncascade, nouncataract, nouncave, nouncavern, nounchange, verbchasm, nounchoppy, adjectiveclap, nounclear, verbclement, adjectivecliff, nouncloud, nouncloudburst, nouncloudy, adjectivecoast, nouncoastal, adjectivecoastline, nouncone, nouncopse, nouncountry, nouncranny, nouncrater, nouncreation, nouncreep, verbcrisp, adjectivecrosswind, nouncumulus, nouncyclone, noundale, noundell, noundense, adjectivedew, noundewdrop, noundewfall, noundewy, adjectivedisgorge, verbdog days, noundownpour, noundownriver, adverbdownstream, adverbdownwind, adverbdrift, verbdrift, noundriftwood, noundrizzle, noundrop, verbdrop, noundrought, noundry, adjectivedry land, noundull, adjectivedune, nounduster, noundust storm, nouneast, adjectiveeddy, nounelectrical storm, nounequable, adjectiveeye, nounface, nounfail, verbfair, adjectivefall, nounfell, nounfen, nounfield, nounfierce, adjectivefiord, nounfirth, nounfjord, nounflood, verbflood, nounflood tide, nounflotsam, nounflow, nounflow, verbflower, nounflurry, nounfog, nounfogbound, adjectivefoggy, adjectivefoothill, nounfoothold, nounford, nounforeshore, nounforest, nounfoul, adjectivefreak, adjectivefreeze, nounfresh, adjectivefreshen, verbfreshwater, adjectivefrost, nounfury, noungale, noungale force, adjectivegap, noungentle, adjectivegeyser, nounglacial, adjectiveglen, noungnarled, adjectivegrassy, adjectivegreen, adjectivegreenery, nounground, nounground level, noungulley, noungully, noungust, noungust, verbgusty, adjectivehail, nounhailstone, nounhailstorm, nounhaze, nounheadwind, nounheath, nounheather, nounheat wave, nounhigh tide, nounhigh water, nounhill, nounhillock, nounhillside, nounhill station, nounhilly, adjectivehoarfrost, nounhot spring, nounhummock, nounhurricane, nounice, nouniceberg, nounice cap, nouninclement, adjectiveincline, nounIndian summer, nouninland, adjectiveinland, adverbinlet, nouninshore, adverbisland, nounisle, nounislet, nounjetsam, nounjungle, nounknoll, nounlake, nounlakeside, adjectiveledge, nounlightning, nounlip, nounloch, nounlough, nounlow tide, nounlow water, nounmarshland, nounmeadow, nounmere, nounmild, adjectivemillpond, nounmire, nounmist, nounmisty, adjectivemoan, verbmoan, nounmonsoon, nounmoonless, adjectivemoor, nounmoorland, nounMother Nature, nounmound, nounmountain, nounmountainous, adjectivemountainside, nounmountaintop, nounmouth, nounmudflat, nounmull, nounmurmur, verbmurmur, nounnarrows, nounnestle, verbnew moon, nounnook, nounnorth, adjectivenortheast, adjectivenortheaster, nounnortheasterly, adjectivenortherly, adjectivenorthwest, adjectivenorthwester, nounnorthwesterly, adjectivenotch, nounoasis, nounonshore, adjectiveooze, nounoutcrop, nounovercast, adjectiveozone, nounpack ice, nounpalisade, nounpanorama, nounparch, verbparched, adjectivepass, nounpatchy, adjectivepeak, nounpeal, nounpeasouper, nounpebble, nounpelt, verbpenumbra, nounperishing, adjectivepinewood, nounpinnacle, nounpitiless, adjectivepond, nounpour, verbprecipice, nounprospect, nounpuddle, nounquicksand, nounradiate, verbraging, adjectiverain, nounrainbow, nounrain drop, nounrainfall, nounrainstorm, nounrainwater, nounrainy, adjectiverange, nounrapids, nounrarefied, adjectiveravine, nounraw, adjectiverecede, verbreedy, adjectivereef, nounreservoir, nounridge, nounrift, nounrime, nounrise, verbrise, nounrock, nounrocky, adjectiveroll, verbrolling, adjectiverough, adjectiverural, adjectivescenery, nounscud, verbsea breeze, nounsea mist, nounset, verbshore, nounsky, nounslope, nounsludge, nounsnow, nounsnowbound, adjectivesnow-capped, adjectivesnowdrift, nounsnowfall, nounsnowflake, nounsnowstorm, nounsnowy, adjectivesouth, adjectivesoutheast, adjectivesoutheaster, nounsoutheasterly, adjectivesoutherly, adjectivesouthwest, adjectivesouthwesterly, adjectivespinney, nounspring, nounstream, nounsullen, adjectivesultry, adjectivesummer, nounsummit, nounsun, nounsundown, nounsun-drenched, adjectivesunrise, nounsunset, nounsunshine, nounswamp, nounsweep, verbswollen, adjectivetempestuous, adjectivethaw, verbthaw, nounthicket, nounthin, adjectivethunder, verbthunderbolt, nounthunderstorm, nounthundery, adjectivetide, nountreeless, adjectivetree-lined, adjectivetrough, nounturf, nountussock, nountwilight, nounvale, nounvalley, nounverdant, adjectivevisibility, nounvoid, nounwashout, nounwater, nounwatercourse, nounwaterfall, nounwaterside, nounwaterspout, nounwax, verbwest, adjectivewest, adverbwestbound, adjectivewesterly, adjectivewesternmost, adjectivewestward, adverbwet, adjectivewhirlpool, nounwhirlwind, nounwhite horses, nounwhitewater, nounwild, adjectivewill o' the wisp, nounwind, nounwindstorm, nounwindswept, adjectivewindy, adjectivewood, nounwooded, adjectivewoodland, nounwoodsy, adjectivewoody, adjectivezephyr, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY Meaning 7drop + NOUN
We dropped anchor a few yards offshore. Finally, she dropped the bombshell. She was pregnant, she said. He’s being blamed for dropping a massive political clanger (=making a silly or embarrassing remark). You can drag and drop text like this. Output has increased dramatically. People who drop litter can be fined in some cities.
(=stop the legal process of trying to prove someone is guilty)· Both men have been released and the charges have been dropped.
(=completely stop everything you are doing)· When my mother was sick, I just dropped everything and flew to be with her in Seattle.
· The project was going to be too expensive so the idea was dropped.
· The company has dropped its plan to build a hotel on the site.
· Some banks have dropped their student loan scheme.
(=stop studying it at school or university)· Students may choose to drop a subject in their second year.
(=stop pretending)· He has finally dropped the pretence that he’s innocent.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES (=not pronounce the letter H at the beginning of words) People with Cockney accents tend to drop their aitches.
People with Cockney accents tend to drop their aitches. We dropped anchor a few yards offshore.· Police found tiny drops of blood in the apartment.
(=from a plane)· Government forces began dropping bombs on rebel positions.
Finally, she dropped the bombshell. She was pregnant, she said. (=not continue with it)· The case was dropped because of a lack of evidence.
(=decide not to go on with a court case)· The prosecution dropped the charges in 2005.
He’s being blamed for dropping a massive political clanger (=making a silly or embarrassing remark). (also a cough sweet British English) (=a sweet you suck to make a cough less irritating)· He was sucking on a cough sweet.
(=leave it without finishing it)· She had to withdraw from the course because of illness.
(=die suddenly)· He dropped dead at the age of 52.
You can drag and drop text like this.· Between these years there was a dramatic fall in youth employment.
Output has increased dramatically. (=all of something, including even the smallest amount of it) They made us pick up every last scrap of paper.
They made us pick up every last scrap of paper.· Exports of gas and oil continued to fall while imports of raw materials have risen.
· There has been a decline in exports and an increase in oil prices.
(=look down at the ground)· The servants lowered their eyes as the countess walked past.
· He let his cigarette fall to the floor.
(=look down)· Her eyes met his and she immediately dropped her gaze.
(=give a hint)· She was dropping quite a few hints about what she'd like for her birthday.
· Imports of consumer goods fell sharply in December.
(=move so that you are kneeling) Tim fell to his knees and started to pray.
Tim fell to his knees and started to pray. (=to stop taking a lawsuit to court)· First Bank agreed to drop its lawsuits against another bank as a result of the decision.
People who drop litter can be fined in some cities. (=stop discussing or worrying about something)· I was too curious to let the matter drop.
(=in surprise)· ‘Me?’ she said, her mouth dropping open.
· The number of new houses being built is falling steadily.
(=stop pretending that you are doing something or that something is true)· Maria had abandoned any pretence of having faith of any kind long ago.
· Poor demand led to a sharp drop in prices.
· He dropped out of the presidential race three weeks ago.
· Robert felt a drop of rain on his face.
(=a reduction in salary)· He couldn’t afford to take a drop in salary.
(=become lower)· European sales have fallen by 12%.
· Some jobs may be cut following a big drop in sales.
· Oil prices fell sharply.
(=start sleeping, especially without meaning to)· She’d drifted off to sleep on the sofa.
· There has been a general decline in standards of literacy among undergraduates.
(=lose a stitch because the wool has come off the needle)
(=stop talking about it)· To her relief, Julius dropped the subject.
(=decide that someone should not play for a team)· He has been dropped from the team because of injury.
· At night there is a dramatic drop in temperature.
· Last winter, the temperature fell below freezing on only five days.
(=leave before finishing your course)· He dropped out of university in order to join a rock band.
· There was a sudden drop in the value of oil.
(=one that is very high or steep) a gorge lined with vertical cliffs
a gorge lined with vertical cliffs (=becomes lower)· Lockhart’s voice dropped so that it could only just be heard.
(=becomes less strong)· The wind had dropped a little.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB· By 1880, however it had dropped away to under 200,000 tons.· This is a positive procedure, and when the healing has taken place the scab drops away.· On either score, actual artists and their intentions somehow dropped away.· The trouble and ache of the last few minutes circled the center of his feeling and then dropped away.· In the following year membership reached a peak, before dropping away in 1938 and 1939.· Indeed, as the stereotypes dropped away, humans astonished them-selves with the ranges of behavior they could thrive within.· Memory of Sweet Home dropped away from the eyes of the man she was being girlish for.
· She half-ran, half-walked, taking a wide curve around the villa and dropping back down towards it on the western side.· George W.. Bush believes it might be time to drop back and punt the primary back to May.· The diary she dropped back into her handbag.· And if you do something wrong again, you drop back another level.· Speed had dropped back and Wallace moved upwards in the second half.· Instead, after Napoleon Kaufman lost two yards on a running play, Hobert dropped back to pass.· The answer is to drop back to conscious competence every now and again to check things out and eradicate the bad habits.· Then they dropped back out of sight.
· Then, next time you drop by, it will know you.· Again, you just never know when they might want to drop by.· If that rose even to 1.5, travel times would drop by nearly a quarter and pollution by around a fifth.· No more lamp all night long, or neighbors dropping by.· But violent crime has dropped by almost a quarter in the past three years.· When people drop by to see her, she sends them away.· Father Christmas dropped by during the meal.· The benchmark 30-year Treasury bond dropped by nearly a full point just minutes after news of the budget problems reached traders.
· Trent dropped down into the galley and took his time searching out a tin of ginger biscuits.· Key dropped down for a sidearm fastball with two strikes, but he left it up around the chin.· Something was not quite right, so without hesitation he dropped down on to the deck.· Song or no song, he had dropped down on the bed beside her and put his hand over hers.· I drop down Like the night.· The track eventually drops down to a road.· Two miles or so past Tintagel the path drops down to Trebawith Strand.
· The number of people in the catchment area of the resource centre who now seek residential care has dropped dramatically.· But when a manganese plant south of the city closed, those levels dropped dramatically.· But their levels are dropping dramatically.· Now the rate of new infections drops dramatically along a mathematical curve almost the opposite of the one it initially rose upon.· Deformation modes involving hydrogen also drop dramatically in frequency on isotopic substitution.· The results were predictable: Drug use dropped dramatically.· Since then the incidence of the disease, which can cause severe paralysis, has dropped dramatically.· Above 85 decibels, the permitted time exposure without hearing protection drops dramatically.
· I could drop in at your place about five or six.· One day at my suggestion he dropped in to look it over.· Then let the solution cool down, being careful not to let any dust drop in.· Keep a folder on your desk, and during the year drop in notes about the special things you did.· Railway Tavern where Ted sometimes drops in to meet her on Friday nights.· It made it that much harder for the Washington press corps to drop in and snoop.· Pilate, in brown suit and sunglasses, seems to have dropped in from Palermo.· Pierce Brosnan also dropped in recently.
· Graham Hunsley, mitigating, said Twohig dropped off food to save a calf which would otherwise have been slaughtered.· Singer wins 20 but drops off to seven and seven for the Angels.· Their height drops off only linearly with distance.· There were four short reviews to do and I dropped off between three and four.· In response, body temperature falls, metabolism slows, and we prepare to drop off.· I fell asleep .... cackle cackle - I dropped off.· By the fall of 1924 the bulletins were becoming scarcer as the traffic dropped off to zero.
· But in the second week the children drop out because they are hungry.· It was in the 70s, and lots of people dropped out, even elite runners.· It shows how good Batts is because normally Dalglish makes one offer - if it s rejected he drops out altogether.· He acted out his airport trick and showed how the money had dropped out of his pockets.· Fitzpatrick has replaced Tilbury Douglas on the bidder list after it dropped out.· Later, two of my cousins entered law, although one has dropped out to be a chef.· Of the children who started school in 1983, 50 percent had dropped out after four years.· I had dropped out of grad school at the beginning of the semester.
· Her opinion of Benedict Beckenham dropped sharply.· After three decades of promotion, the Pap test is largely the reason why cervical cancer deaths have dropped sharply.· Their balance of payments deficits have been alarmingly large, and their currencies have dropped sharply, aggravating their inflationary problems.· As in Iowa, New Hampshire had recovered from a 1992 recession and had seen unemployment drop sharply.· In a separate report, the Conference Board, a research group, said consumer confidence dropped sharply in January.· Violent incidents such as kidnapping and sabotage dropped sharply last year.· The limits are imposed after futures prices drop sharply.
· It was like being in an elevator which suddenly drops from the top of a twenty storey building to the basement.· The penny suddenly drops, and he is revealed as the one who makes sense of life.· Tennessee Williams has written about several football heroes who suddenly drop through the floor at the height of their prowess.· It would have been very hard for him to have suddenly dropped her after all she had endured.· He dropped suddenly on to the edge of the bed.· He then suddenly drops to the ground on the left knee, placing the left hand on the floor in front of him.· Several calls have been eventually connected but are suddenly dropped by the system for no apparent reason. 4.
· Rho Cassiopeiæ, in the same constellation, fluctuates around magnitude 5, but very occasionally drops to below 6.· The occupancy rate of the hotel had dropped to about one in four rooms last year, he added.· By 1988 this had dropped to about 15 percent of spruce, and other species such as pine and fir showed similar improvements.· It occurs when the temperature drops to between 22-25°C.· Today, he estimates, the number of collectors has dropped to about 50.· For a relatively prosperous family, spending on cooking probably drops to less than 5 percent of the annual income.· Martin Brookes has been appointed as the new chairman and succeeds Charlie Jones, who drops to vice chairman.· From a daytime 70-75F the mercury drops to below freezing.
NOUN· Kit dropped his bombs and climbed to escape their shock waves.· Sixteen billion gallons of water dropped like a bomb on the town below.· They dropped ninety-three bombs and caused casualties and damage at a rate Paris had not experienced before.· Can you imagine what would happen if they dropped a bomb on the Suq al-Sabat?· I was a crew member of the Enola Gay, the B29 that dropped a bomb on Hiroshima.· It tells of homes set aflame, planes dropping turpentine bombs and the wanton shooting of unarmed black men on the street.· We asked who led the Lancasters into action when they dropped their bouncing bombs.· They come in at treetop level and drop these bombs.
· Then, one day in May, Kathleen dropped a bombshell.· However, it was while in the midst of dealing with her father's problems that her husband had dropped his bombshell.· Jackie drops the bombshell as she and Jimmy happily tell each other how much they love each other after 27 years together.· There is a funny, touching reconciliation scene, and then Michael drops his bombshell.
· It is thought that banks will now be forced to drop their charges for those who wish to transfer.· Moreover, battered women often wind up dropping the charges as reconciliation with the abuser.· We have to drop the charge and put the painful memories on one side.· Like making sure they drop the charges against me.· He's dropping the charges against Jamie.· Although the dropping of the charges was a big story, it faded as quickly as the Cowboys in the playoffs.
· She dropped Wilfred on to the floor.· You must never drop it on the floor and never touch it without washing your hands and face.· Tennessee Williams has written about several football heroes who suddenly drop through the floor at the height of their prowess.· He let the boy drop to the floor.· Anyone who had drugs on them dropped them to the floor.· Keep the napkin square on your lap or it will fall off, and you may not drop anything on the floor.· I dropped to the floor, hopeful I had found a gap in the defences, and stopped dead.· Mattie wiggled out of the bottom of her pajamas and dropped them on the floor.
· Because Ludo and I drop our hands to where our holsters would be, and brush our jackets aside.· The Human Body dropped from his hands, snapped open, and the innards scattered all over the dirt floor.· He drops his hands over his feet.· I went to open the window as though to hope some breeze might seduce her forth, and dropped my hand.· It dropped into Thérèse's hands.· Mr Ward dropped in with his hands full of wildflowers, and then Frank Sargent on his way fishing.· George dropped his hands from his face, and very quickly realized that the young man was longing to unburden himself.· He dropped his hands to his side.
· There was certainly something different about this one, she thought dreamily, and dropped her head on his shoulder again.· Barnabas dropped his head on his front paws.· Six month old Hannah Davies was dropped on her head.· Laura sobbed, and dropped her head.· He swung himself to sit on the edge of the bed, and dropped his head in his hands.· Wally dropped his head into my lap and began nuzzling my crotch.
· They managed to see Maeda who dropped hints and told them to be circumspect.· He was apparently out of favor with the judges, some of whom had dropped subtle hints that Galindo should move on.· Little by little he dropped hints, but no details.· Occasionally he dropped hints on this matter to Gina.· Despite my misgivings, I dropped heavy hints at home.· But sometimes, the trash drops a hint to a waiter.· He assured me he hadn't mentioned the glass to anyone, hadn't dropped any hints.
· He dropped to one knee and stayed there.· I looked up at the numbers lighting faster than I could count and dropped to my knees.· So that she knew when he stood up and walked round to drop to his knees beside her.· Gardner dropped to his knees in prayer.· Thérèse dropped to her knees and tried to kiss his ring.· After the thanksgiving over the water, George dropped to his knees on a braided rug.· Kirov dropped to his knees, gingerly placing his ear over the man's heart.· After Federer ended the match with an ace, he dropped to his knees.
· Do drop me a line, Mrs Surridge, or anyone else who's interested.· Other cities have dropped their line items without allowing departments to keep any of their savings.· If he can not do so, perhaps he will drop me a line.· Do spare time to drop me a line.· If any walls appear to lean, check by going back to the nearest upper window and drop a plumb line down.· So if there are any problems drop me a line.· What ever the reason is, Mr Heaps, please drop us a line to tell us about it.· Then get cracking, drop me a line with your suggestions.
· Especially for a company whose sales have dropped 14 percent in the last five years.· Tariffs on imported cars would drop from 85 percent to 60 percent in 1991 and to 35 percent by 1994.· If the family earns $ 100, 000, the tax bill drops by 22 percent.· While sales of petrol engined cars dropped by almost 32 percent, sales of diesels rose by nine percent.· Imports dropped 9. 9 percent to $ 6. 31 billion, the government said in a statement.· Revenue dropped 35 percent to $ 789.5 million.· Over the next three years, federal prosecutions of drug cases dropped 12 percent and drug interdiction spending fell 35 percent.
· One of the fastest ways to list is simply to drop your points on the page, numbering as you go.· The party's share of vote was squeezed, dropping five points from 1987 to 18 percent.· The Commodity Research Bureau index dropped 2. 33 points to 242. 90.· But if they drop points, Leicester City or Derby County could triumph in a nail-biting finish.· Last Nov. 15, amid rumors she had become bearish on stocks, the market dropped 55 points in midday trading.· The Conservatives are down one point to 34 %, and the Liberal Democrats have dropped three points to 13 %.· For every day I stayed in Rochester, my intelligence quotient dropped another ten points.
· Now the price has dropped to fifteen, sometimes less.· Philip Morris' stock price dropped 6 1 / 8 points to 115 7 / 8.· As crude oil prices dropped, many governments raised their taxes on gasoline.· In little more than a decade the price would drop to eighteen cents.· When delivery was actually made, the market price had dropped to 42s. 6d.· And many blacks argue that the difference is not a matter of economics, particularly with computer prices dropping.· Ironically that is also the reason behind yesterday's good news for motorists that petrol prices are to drop.· The almost inevitable result: Housing prices will drop, hurting homeowners.
· Then on Wednesday night he forecast that interest rates would drop - fuelling the City boom.· If you travel between April 7-21, the rate drops to $ 70 because the resort throws in free skiing.· The society's rates drop by 0.7% to 9.29% on December 1.· The crash rate had dropped from one every 13, 000 flying hours to one every 5O, 000.· Within one generation, the predation rate drops to the level found in areas where the animals have long co-existed.· Both rates dropped from 1994 levels.· The theft rate began to drop first in the Interior region and then in the Intermediate area.· When interest rates drop, the value of short-duration bond funds can drop too.
· He has dropped out of school because he is not interested in studies.· Don dropped out of school in June, dashing all hope of be-coming a lawyer.· Children drop out of school to find jobs.· You want to drop out of school?· Many of them drop out of school, too exhausted to study.· At 16, Williams dropped out of school to sing in nightclubs and the flourishing dance scene at South Side social clubs.· One indication of that success is that virtually no one drops out of school.· He dropped out of graduate school and began writing Apple programs.
· There was a long silence as Merrill fought a desire to drop the subject which had goaded her ever since Elise died.· I dropped the subject, but the gossip persisted.· Currently, disaffected pupils can drop two subjects to spend up to a day a week in the workplace.· He just nodded and dropped the subject.· University entrance students choose between science and social science and drop some subjects.· But suppose we drop the subject of Elise for this evening?
· When the temperature drops they become dormant but remain alive.· In addition, body temperature begins to drop and muscles begin to relax.· Thanks to the warming influence of the Gulf Stream, the climate is also mild, temperatures rarely dropping much below freezing.· An ice age begins slowly, almost imperceptibly, when the average temperature drops by a few degrees.· It occurs when the temperature drops to between 22-25°C.· The wind was howling and the temperature was dropping fast.· Even during the winter, when the nights are cool, the daytime temperature barely drops below 25C.· If the temperature drops below 80, I start shivering.
· Remember that most people tend to drop their voices at the end of a sentence.· She dropped her voice to a scratchy whisper.· She dropped her voice to a harsh whisper. ` I don't want to hear anything!
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► the wind drops► drop $50/£2,000 etc► drop a catch► drop somebody/something ↔ offPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► drop the ball► drop the c-bomb/f-bomb► the bottom drops/falls out of the market► drop dead!► fit to drop► somebody’s jaw dropped► knockout pills/drops etc► let something drop/rest/lie► you could hear a pin drop
1let something fall [transitive] a)to stop holding or carrying something so that it falls: - Arlen Specter until he dropped out of the Republican race.
- It harasses other gulls until they drop their hard-won food and then swoops down to catch it - often in mid-air.
- Or they can board one of the famous San Francisco trams to shop till they drop at Ghiradelli Square.
- Putting his hand on my head, he looked at his sheep until they dropped their eyes.
- She only wanted him to go on dancing till he dropped.
- They work until they drop, twenty, thirty hours at a time.
- Try having your last meal no later than 5 p. m. Working till I drop will help me sleep.
- You shop until you drop and then what?
- I've dropped a few hints about what I want for my birthday.
- My mother dropped several hints about us wallpapering her sitting room.
- She kept dropping hints about her birthday, just to make sure none of us forgot about it.
- But sometimes, the trash drops a hint to a waiter.
- Little by little he dropped hints, but no details.
- Occasionally he dropped hints on this matter to Gina.
- They managed to see Maeda who dropped hints and told them to be circumspect.
- Drop us a line sometime.
- After the people have been touched, they drop a £10 note, the usual donation, on the small table.
- Do drop me a line, Mrs Surridge, or anyone else who's interested.
- If he can not do so, perhaps he will drop me a line.
- Just wanted to drop you a note to say break a leg and all those other theatrical cliches.
- Keep a folder on your desk, and during the year drop in notes about the special things you did.
- Other cities have dropped their line items without allowing departments to keep any of their savings.
- She pulled open a drawer to drop the note in.
- The telephone isn't connected yet but you can drop a note in.
- McSherry dropped dead of a heart attack in the middle of a baseball game.
- One day he just dropped dead in the street.
- One of their neighbors just dropped dead on the tennis court.
- A few months ago, the seven-year-old son of one family we spoke to dropped dead.
- I would not care if I dropped dead tomorrow.
- If this fails to deter the enemy, the possum promptly drops dead.
- In a few minutes the poor beast dropped dead.
- It wasn't printed in the end because he'd just dropped dead the day before, in Rochdale Road.
- Livestock are dropping dead in the fields.
- She dropped dead; her very flesh had melted away.
- They tried to beg, but everyone else was hungry, and they would drop dead in the streets.
- Conley's jaw dropped, and she left without saying anything.
- They dropped their eyes and pretended not to notice him.
- For no reason at all, she shivered and dropped her gaze.
- He blessed himself and dropped his eyes as the hearse passed.
- I drop my eyes in confusion.
- I dropped my eyes to my foot, straightened out the tongue, and stood up.
- She dropped her eyes back to the pile of letters.
- She looks up at him, holds his gaze for a second or two, then drops her eyes.
- We look at each other, and then, drop our gaze to hide our confusion.
- Then, one day in May, Kathleen dropped a bombshell.
- Listen, mate, I wouldn't drop you in it.
- After 10 days and three predictable victories they were promoted, thanks to Woking dropping a point.
- But if they drop points, Leicester City or Derby County could triumph in a nail-biting finish.
- Players from both teams are dropping like flies.
- Grocer profits While other retailers are dropping like flies, supermarkets are making fat profits.
- Our kids are dropping like flies.
- They should be dropping like flies, but that hasn't been the case.
- No wonder, perhaps, that Seaman dropped a brick.
- But I drop stitches, I find.
- Tuck stitch has a tendency to drop stitches and the tuck brushes are there to prevent this.
- Clayt was forced to drop anchor in open water.
- Everybody said that Floyd Johnson probably dropped anchor somewhere to wait to the next day instead of coming in in the fog.
- On June 9, 1741, the Centurion dropped anchor at last at Juan Fernandez.
- The ship finally dropped anchor at a beautiful isle of the Marquesas.
- We dropped anchor there, and the fishermen disappeared back into harbour, leaving us to our fate.
- While Pottz tacked to and fro energetically seeking out the elusive peak, Richie dropped anchor and contemplated the horizon.
- There were the heavy rooms for dropping acid or taking mushrooms.
- Grocer profits While other retailers are dropping like flies, supermarkets are making fat profits.
- Our kids are dropping like flies.
- The men were dying like flies, of fever.
- They should be dropping like flies, but that hasn't been the case.
- After he finished telling the story you could have heard a pin drop.
- It was so quiet in the hall you could hear a pin drop.
- You could hear a pin drop in the auditorium during Norvell's speech.
- What do you think? Drop me a line at the Washington Post Weekend section and share your thoughts.
- Why don't you give me a call or drop me a line sometime?
- Do drop me a line, Mrs Surridge, or anyone else who's interested.
- Do spare time to drop me a line.
- If any walls appear to lean, check by going back to the nearest upper window and drop a plumb line down.
- If he can not do so, perhaps he will drop me a line.
- Other cities have dropped their line items without allowing departments to keep any of their savings.
- So if there are any problems drop me a line.
- Then get cracking, drop me a line with your suggestions.
- What ever the reason is, Mr Heaps, please drop us a line to tell us about it.
- Men and horses went down like ninepins before them, in a tangle of waving limbs, flailing hooves and broken lances.
- At this point the penny dropped.
- I was about to ask Jack who it was, when the penny dropped.
- Suddenly the penny dropped, and Meredith knew why he'd been prowling about the airport like an angry lion.
- Then the penny dropped and he realised that the man had meant a fan- bearer.
- A word in the ear of the Weatherfield constabulary.
- His resolve ends when again he wakes at dawn with prophetic words in his ears.
- If I were you I'd drop a quiet word in her ear before it's too late.
- Mixed blessings' A word in your ear.
He dropped his briefcase on a chair. She screamed and dropped the torch. b)to make something such as a bomb fall from a plane: U.S. planes began dropping bombs on the city. Supplies are being dropped for the refugees.2fall [intransitive] to fall suddenly onto the ground or into somethingdrop from/off The apples are beginning to drop from the trees. Your button has dropped off.3move your body down [intransitive always + adverb/preposition, transitive] to lower yourself or part of your body suddenlydrop down/onto/into He dropped down onto the floor and hid under the table. She dropped her head back against the cushion.4become less [intransitive] to fall to a lower level or amount, especially a much lower level or amountdrop suddenly/sharply/dramatically The number of deaths on the roads has dropped sharply. Temperatures drop quite dramatically at night, so bring some warm clothing.drop to Their share of the market dropped to 50 percent this year.► see thesaurus at decrease5reduce [transitive] to reduce the level or amount of something: You might be able to get them to drop the price. As soon as she saw the police car she dropped her speed.6not include [transitive] to decide not to include someone or something: His name was dropped from the list.drop somebody from a team/side Taylor was bitterly disappointed to be dropped from the England side.7stop doing something [transitive] to stop doing something, discussing something, or continuing with something: The proposal was dropped after opposition from civil liberties groups.drop charges/drop a case New evidence was presented to the court and the case was dropped.drop a subject at school/university (=stop studying it) Students are allowed to drop history in Year 9. You can’t expect me to drop everything (=completely stop doing whatever I am doing) whenever you’re in town. Oh, drop the ‘Senator’ (=stop calling me ‘Senator’) – just call me Gordon. Some time later, the matter was quietly dropped.8stop talking about something [intransitive, transitive] to stop talking about somethingdrop the subject To her relief, Julius dropped the subject.drop it (=stop talking about a subject) Just drop it, will you? I don’t want to talk about it anymore. ‘What about the money?’ ‘We’ve agreed to let it drop (=we have agreed not to talk about it anymore).’9take somebody somewhere (also drop off) [transitive] to take someone by car to a place and leave them there, especially on your way to another place: Just drop me here – I can walk the rest of the way.drop somebody at something She dropped Johnny at the school gates at about 8:30.10take something somewhere [transitive] to take something to a place and leave it theredrop something round/in I’ve got your books – I’ll drop them round to your place later.11visit [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] to visit someone you know, usually without arranging a particular timedrop by/round I just dropped by to see how you were getting on. The kids drop round and see her from time to time.drop into Jan dropped into the office this morning to tell me her news.drop in (on somebody) Why don’t you drop in for a drink one evening?12slope downwards [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] if a path, land etc drops, it goes down suddenly, forming a steep slopedrop down The cliff dropped down over a hundred feet to the sea below.drop away On the left the ground drops away, giving a view over the rooftops.13end a relationship [transitive] informal to suddenly stop having a relationship with someone, especially a romantic relationship: She dropped him as soon as she found out he had been seeing another woman.14until/till you drop until you are too tired to continue doing something: We’re going to shop till we drop!15drop a hint to suggest or ask for something in an indirect way, hoping that the person you are talking to will understand what you mean: He dropped some big hints about what he wanted for his birthday.16drop somebody a line/note informal to write a short letter to someone: Drop us a line to let us know how you’re getting on.17drop dead a) informal to die suddenly b)spoken informal an impolite expression which you say to someone when you are extremely angry with them18somebody’s jaw dropped used to say that someone was very surprised19drop your eyes/gaze to stop looking at someone and look down, usually because you feel embarrassed or uncomfortable: Ben looked at me in horror for a moment and then dropped his gaze.20the wind drops the wind stops: They waited for the wind to drop.21drop a bombshell informal to suddenly tell someone a shocking piece of news: Finally she dropped the bombshell. She was pregnant and I was the father.22drop somebody in it informal to say or do something that gets someone else into trouble: You told her where we went on Friday night! You’ve really dropped me in it now!23drop $50/£2,000 etc [transitive] informal to lose money in a business deal, a game etc: Phil dropped $200 playing poker yesterday.24drop a catch to fail to catch a ball hit by a batsman in cricket25drop a point to lose a point in a sports competition: Real Madrid dropped a point at home yesterday.26be dropping like flies informal if people are dropping like flies, they are getting ill or dying in large numbers27drop a clanger/brick British English to say something embarrassing in a social situation28drop a stitch to let the wool fall off the needle when you are knitting29drop anchor to lower a boat’s anchor to the bottom of the sea, a lake etc so that the boat does not float away30drop acid informal to swallow LSD (=an illegal drug)COLLOCATIONS– Meaning 7drop + NOUNdrop the charges/a case (=stop the legal process of trying to prove someone is guilty)· Both men have been released and the charges have been dropped.drop everything (=completely stop everything you are doing)· When my mother was sick, I just dropped everything and flew to be with her in Seattle.drop the idea· The project was going to be too expensive so the idea was dropped.drop a plan· The company has dropped its plan to build a hotel on the site.drop a scheme/program etc· Some banks have dropped their student loan scheme.drop a subject (=stop studying it at school or university)· Students may choose to drop a subject in their second year.drop the pretence (=stop pretending)· He has finally dropped the pretence that he’s innocent.drop back (also drop behind) phrasal verb to move more slowly than other people so that they get ahead of you: He started out with the leaders but at the first fence he dropped back. Ellen dropped behind to tie her shoelace.drop off phrasal verb1to begin to sleep: She kept dropping off at her desk. I must have dropped off to sleep.2 drop somebody/something ↔ off to take someone or something to a place by car and leave them there on your way to another place: I’ll drop you off on my way home.3to fall to a lower level or amount: The number of graduates going into teaching has dropped off sharply.drop out phrasal verb1to no longer do an activity or belong to a group: The group gets smaller as members move away or drop out.2to leave a school or university before your course has finisheddrop out of Bill dropped out of college after his first year.3to refuse to take part in ordinary society because you do not agree with its principles: In the 60s, Leary urged kids to ‘Turn on, tune in and drop out.’4if an Internet connection drops out, it suddenly stops, usually for a short timedrop1 verbdrop2 noun
dropdrop2 ●●● S2 W3 noun WORD ORIGINdrop2
Origin:
Old English dropaEXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Add a few drops of vanilla essence, the egg white and half the butter.
- Big drops of rain slid down the window pane.
- Despite the air drops of food and tents, the refugees continue to suffer.
- It's a twenty-five-foot drop from this cliff.
- She applied a few drops of perfume behind her ears and smiled at her reflection in the mirror.
- There was a sudden drop in the plane's altitude.
- In fact, each individual drop of water is describing a circular motion which takes it nowhere overall.
- It was the worst one-day stock market drop since the Great Crash of 1929.
- Maggie slid from the saddle and held the reins, her eyes on the drop to the lake.
- Multiply the number of widths by the number of pattern repeats per drop to give the total number of pattern repeats required.
- Then for every drop of oil that stuck to the chopstick a drop of water remained in the bottle.
- Unfortunately, the talent level took a definite drop by the late-1980s.
- Worrell had achieved any captain's dream of knowing that his players would give their last drop of sweat just for him.
THESAURUSa small piece
a small piece that has broken off something, especially something hard: · The window shattered, covering them with fragments of glass.· They found fragments of bone.
a very small piece of bread, cake etc: · There were just a few crumbs left on the plate.
a piece of something such as dirt or dust which is so small you almost cannot see it: · She brushed the specks of dust from the table.
a very small amount of a liquid: · There were drops of blood on the floor.· I felt a drop of rain.
used when the number, amount, or level of something becomes less than it used to be: · There has been a significant decrease in the number of deaths from lung cancer.· a 5% decrease in housing prices
used when the price, amount, or level of something is made lower: · There will be further price reductions in the sales.· A small reduction in costs can mean a large increase in profits.
used when a government or company reduces the price, amount, or level of something: · a 1% cut in interest rates· tax cuts· It is possible that there will be further job cuts.
used when the number, amount, or level of something goes down, especially by a large amount: · The figures showed a sharp fall in industrial output.· There was a dramatic drop in temperature.
used when the number, amount, level, or standard of something goes down, especially gradually: · During the 1970s, there was a gradual decline in the birthrate.· a decline in educational standards
Longman Language Activatoran amount of liquid a very small amount of liquid in a round shape, that falls from somewhere : drop of: · Big drops of rain slid down the window pane.· Add a few drops of vanilla essence, the egg white and half the butter.· She applied a few drops of perfume behind her ears and smiled at her reflection in the mirror.
a drop or small amount of thick liquid: blob of paint/glue/wax/grease etc: · Rita dropped a blob of paint on the new carpet.· Blobs of wax had dripped from the candle onto the table cloth.· Put a blob of glue on each surface and carefully press together.
an area of liquid lying on a surface: pool of: · Trautman was lying in a pool of blood.· A pool of oil had collected under the car.
a small amount of money · Most people will give a little to charity if they are asked.a little money/cash · I have a little cash with me, but not enough to pay for both of us.a little extra · He earns a little extra by working on weekends.a little over/under (=a little more or less than an amount of money) · The car costs a little over $20,000.a little more/less · A private room costs a little more, but it's worth it.
there is only a small amount of money, especially when you expect or need more: · After paying rent he doesn't have much left to buy food and pay bills.not much money/cash: · Pete didn't get much money when he sold his car.not very much: · I don't think he earns very much working at the bank.
a very small amount of money, so that there is not enough to have an effect: · He spends very little on food.· Considering they work so hard they're paid very little.very little money/cash: · When Maria lost her job she had very little money in savings.
if the amount that something costs is next to nothing , it is extremely cheap: · It costs next to nothing to go to an afternoon movie.· The company's profits climbed from next to nothing to $6 million in just two years.
a nominal sum, charge, or payment is very small, because what is important is that something is paid, even if it is much less than would usually be paid: · We are allowed to use the tennis courts for a nominal fee.a nominal £1/$5 etc: · Tickets for the concert are a nominal $3 for students.
an amount of money that is negligible is so small that it has no effect or is so small that it is not worth worrying about: · The cost of maintaining the machine is negligible.· Expenses for maintaining the investment fund are negligible - just half a percentage point of profit.
British /a drop in the bucket American informal an amount is a drop in the ocean or a drop in the bucket when it seems very small compared with what is really needed: · The United States pledge of $100 million to the rainforest fund is a drop in the ocean.· Third World debt is so massive that recent pledges to reduce it are just a drop in the bucket.
WORD SETSabsinth, nounalcohol, nounale, nounalehouse, nounaperitif, nounbaby milk, nounbar, nounbarfly, nounbarhop, verbbarkeeper, nounbarley wine, nounbarmaid, nounbarman, nounbartender, nounbeef tea, nounbeer, nounbenedictine, nounbeverage, nounbibulous, adjectivebistro, nounbitter, nounblack, adjectivebootleg, verbbooze, nounboozer, nounbooze-up, nounboozing, nounboozy, adjectivebottle, verbbouquet, nounbourbon, nounbrandy, nounbreathe, verbbrew, verbbrew, nounbrewer, nounbrewery, nounbroach, verbBuck's Fizz, nounburgundy, nounbuttermilk, nouncamomile, nouncappuccino, nouncarbonated, adjectivecask, nouncellar, nounchalice, nounchampagne, nounchampers, nounchar, nounchartreuse, nounchaser, nounChelsea bun, nounchocolate, nouncider, nounclaret, nounclub soda, nouncoaster, nounCoca-Cola, cocktail, nouncocktail lounge, nouncocktail shaker, nouncocktail stick, nouncocktail waitress, nouncocoa, nouncoffee, nouncoffee bar, nouncoffee bean, nouncoffee machine, nouncoffeemaker, nouncoffee mill, nouncognac, nouncola, nounconsommé, nouncordial, nouncork, nouncork, verbcorkage, nouncorked, adjectivecorkscrew, nouncorn whiskey, nouncrème de menthe, nouncup, nouncuppa, nouncuraçao, noundaiquiri, noundecaf, noundecaffeinated, adjectivedecanter, noundessert wine, noundipsomaniac, noundissipated, adjectivedissipation, noundissolute, adjectivedistiller, noundistillery, noundram, noundraught, noundregs, noundried milk, noundrink, verbdrink, noundrinkable, adjectivedrinking fountain, noundrinking-up time, noundrinking water, noundrinks machine, noundrinks party, noundrop, noundry, adjectiveDutch courage, nounespresso, nounethyl alcohol, nounferment, verbfinger, nounfizz, nounflat, adjectivefloat, nounfortified wine, nounfroth, nounfroth, verbfrothy, adjectivefull-cream, adjectiveGandT, noungassy, adjectivegin, noungin and tonic, nounginger ale, nounginger beer, nounglass, noungreen tea, noungrenadine, noungrog, noungumbo, nounhalf, nounhalf-and-half, nounhangover, nounhappy hour, nounhead, nounhighball, nounhip flask, nounhock, nounhogshead, nounhome brew, nounhooch, nounhot chocolate, nounice bucket, nounice cube, nounice water, nouninfuse, verbinfusion, nounintoxicant, nounintoxicating, adjectiveIrish coffee, nounjar, nounjigger, nounjuice, nounkeg, nounkirsch, nounlace, verblager, nounlandlord, nounlemon, nounlemonade, nounlicensed, adjectivelicensing laws, nounlight, adjectivelight ale, nounlimeade, nounliqueur, nounliquor, nounlite, adjectivelocal, nounlounge bar, nounMadeira, nounmagnum, nounmalt, nounmalted, nounmalt liquor, nounmaraschino, nounmargarita, nounMartini, nounmash, nounmature, adjectivemature, verbmead, nounmeasure, nounmellow, verbmilk, nounmilk shake, nounmilky, adjectivemineral water, nounmint julep, nounmix, verbmixer, nounmocha, nounmoonshine, nounmulled wine, nounneat, adjectivenectar, nounnightcap, nounnip, nounnoggin, nounnon-alcoholic, adjectiveoff-licence, nounopen bar, nounorangeade, nounouzo, nounpale ale, nounparalytic, adjectivepasteurized, adjectivepercolate, verbperk, verbperry, nounpick-me-up, nounpiña colada, nounpink gin, nounpint, nounplonk, nounpop, nounport, nounporter, nounprohibitionist, nounproof, nounpunch, nounquaff, verbrake, nounrat-arsed, adjectivered, nounrefill, nounrefreshment, nounretsina, nounring-pull, nounroot beer, nounrosé, nounrotgut, nounrum, nounrye, nounsake, nounsaloon, nounsangria, nounsarsaparilla, nounschnapps, nounScotch, nounscrewdriver, nounscrumpy, nounsediment, nounsemi-skimmed milk, nounshake, nounshaker, nounshandy, nounshebeen, nounsherry, nounshort, nounshot, nounsiphon, nounsix-pack, nounskimmed milk, nounslimline, adjectivesloe gin, nounslug, nounslush, nounsnifter, nounsoda, nounsoda siphon, nounsoda water, nounsoft drink, nounsparkling, adjectivespeakeasy, nounspike, verbspirit, nounsplash, nounspritzer, nounsquash, nounstein, nounstewed, adjectivestill, adjectivestill, nounstout, nounstraight, adjectivestraw, nounsundowner, nounsup, verbswig, verbswill, verbswizzle stick, nountab, nountable wine, nountall, adjectivetankard, nountavern, nountea, nounteabag, nounteahouse, nountea leaves, nountearoom, nountea shop, nountea urn, nountemperance, nountequila, nountied house, nountippler, nountoddy, nountonic, nountop-up, nountot, nounTurkish coffee, nountwo-percent milk, nounUHT milk, noununcork, verbvermouth, nounvintage, adjectivevintage, nounvintner, nounvodka, nounwater, verbwatering hole, nounweak, adjectivewet bar, nounwhisky, nounwhite, adjectivewine cooler, nounwrecked, adjectiveyeast, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY George hasn’t touched a drop (=drunk any alcohol) for years. The results showed a sharp drop in profits. There was an almost sheer (=vertical)drop to the valley below.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES We dropped anchor a few yards offshore. Finally, she dropped the bombshell. She was pregnant, she said. He’s being blamed for dropping a massive political clanger (=making a silly or embarrassing remark). You can drag and drop text like this. Output has increased dramatically. People who drop litter can be fined in some cities.
George hasn’t touched a drop (=drunk any alcohol) for years. The results showed a sharp drop in profits. There was an almost sheer (=vertical)drop to the valley below. (=not pronounce the letter H at the beginning of words) People with Cockney accents tend to drop their aitches.
People with Cockney accents tend to drop their aitches. We dropped anchor a few yards offshore.· Police found tiny drops of blood in the apartment.
(=from a plane)· Government forces began dropping bombs on rebel positions.
Finally, she dropped the bombshell. She was pregnant, she said. (=not continue with it)· The case was dropped because of a lack of evidence.
(=decide not to go on with a court case)· The prosecution dropped the charges in 2005.
He’s being blamed for dropping a massive political clanger (=making a silly or embarrassing remark). (also a cough sweet British English) (=a sweet you suck to make a cough less irritating)· He was sucking on a cough sweet.
(=leave it without finishing it)· She had to withdraw from the course because of illness.
(=die suddenly)· He dropped dead at the age of 52.
You can drag and drop text like this.· Between these years there was a dramatic fall in youth employment.
Output has increased dramatically. (=all of something, including even the smallest amount of it) They made us pick up every last scrap of paper.
They made us pick up every last scrap of paper.· Exports of gas and oil continued to fall while imports of raw materials have risen.
· There has been a decline in exports and an increase in oil prices.
(=look down at the ground)· The servants lowered their eyes as the countess walked past.
· He let his cigarette fall to the floor.
(=look down)· Her eyes met his and she immediately dropped her gaze.
(=give a hint)· She was dropping quite a few hints about what she'd like for her birthday.
· Imports of consumer goods fell sharply in December.
(=move so that you are kneeling) Tim fell to his knees and started to pray.
Tim fell to his knees and started to pray. (=to stop taking a lawsuit to court)· First Bank agreed to drop its lawsuits against another bank as a result of the decision.
People who drop litter can be fined in some cities. (=stop discussing or worrying about something)· I was too curious to let the matter drop.
(=in surprise)· ‘Me?’ she said, her mouth dropping open.
· The number of new houses being built is falling steadily.
(=stop pretending that you are doing something or that something is true)· Maria had abandoned any pretence of having faith of any kind long ago.
· Poor demand led to a sharp drop in prices.
· He dropped out of the presidential race three weeks ago.
· Robert felt a drop of rain on his face.
(=a reduction in salary)· He couldn’t afford to take a drop in salary.
(=become lower)· European sales have fallen by 12%.
· Some jobs may be cut following a big drop in sales.
· Oil prices fell sharply.
(=start sleeping, especially without meaning to)· She’d drifted off to sleep on the sofa.
· There has been a general decline in standards of literacy among undergraduates.
(=lose a stitch because the wool has come off the needle)
(=stop talking about it)· To her relief, Julius dropped the subject.
(=decide that someone should not play for a team)· He has been dropped from the team because of injury.
· At night there is a dramatic drop in temperature.
· Last winter, the temperature fell below freezing on only five days.
(=leave before finishing your course)· He dropped out of university in order to join a rock band.
· There was a sudden drop in the value of oil.
(=one that is very high or steep) a gorge lined with vertical cliffs
a gorge lined with vertical cliffs (=becomes lower)· Lockhart’s voice dropped so that it could only just be heard.
(=becomes less strong)· The wind had dropped a little.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE· And manufacturers report a big drop in new orders.· The same could happen in San Diego, but even the new competitors are warning against expecting a big price drop.· Then at the bottom of that big drop, it was like crashing through the seat into the ground.· Services had 30, 736 fewer unemployed, the biggest drop in nominal terms of any group.· A big drop took place in rates of partitioning.· At first, that looks like a big drop in pay.· The big drop over the past five years since the 1987 election is welcome news.· Meanwhile, new-homes sales plummeted by 10.9 percent in January, the biggest drop in seven years.
· It had an immediate effect, causing a long term, and dramatic drop in the Club's profits.· Could these factors contribute to a dramatic drop in the self-esteem of schoolgirls?
· In the meantime, a sudden cloud had appeared, and a few large drops of rain spattered the courtyard.· To be sure, a large-enough drop in heating oil demand could undermine a rebound in prices, analysts said.· Most patients were experiencing a large drop in viral load.· The large drops leave the spray behind and pass on to hit the target.· Tonight she would wear the swinging strands of rolled gold ending in one large crystal drop.· Also similar is the absence of a large drop in production in the immediate years after the land reforms in these countries.· Analysis of the health service performance indicators shows a large drop in the proportion of night visits performed by deputising services.· The ants like to feed on the sugary liquid which the aphids produce in large drops from their rear end.
· A sharp drop in population coupled with forest regeneration in the Basin of Pátzcuaro may have significantly reduced erosion.· One reason: a sharp drop in the number of undergraduate students choosing economics as a major.· The resulting sharp drop in its levels causes the lining of the womb, along with the unfertilised egg, to be shed.· The decline was in part due to a sharp drop in gasoline prices.· Far better to await a further sharp drop in mortgage rates into the high or even middling single digits.· Last year, a sharp drop in interest rates boosted the value of a 30-year Treasury bond by more than 30 percent.· Cuts in salaries, bonuses and overtime payments have reduced many family-incomes and caused a sharp drop in consumer spending.· Nevertheless, he said the sharp drop in the book-to-bill came as a surprise.
· There was a sheer drop, half the height of a man, down to the water's surface.· The fourth side of the clearing was sheer cliff drop, attended by a barrier of split rails.· There is a wind-blown cornice of about one and a half metres overhanging a sheer drop of about eight metres.· He'd had a short walk after the service and every path seemed to end in a cliff or a sheer drop.· The road was overhung with rocks and the view from the driver's window was a sheer drop.· They parked and walked to the cape where there was a terrifying sheer drop to the sea.
· On the other hand Marsh did find that there was a statistically significant drop in the excess returns after 1968.· Among the 50 largest cities, there was a significant drop: from 9 percent in 1990 to 5 percent in 1998.· The first is the significant drop in nationally funded research grants that has occurred over the past 10 to 15 years.· The trade gap looks appalling and it may take some time before we see a significant drop in consumer spending.
· It was great fun and they worked so carefully they didn't spill one single drop of sponge mixture.· We prayed for rain at supper every evening, and for three months not a single drop fell from the sky.· Finally the rain came, slowly at first in single drops, then in a sudden burst that pelted the houses like shrapnel.· Up until this time it was unknown whether it was a single stream a single drop, or a series of drops.
· Still, on-the-move shifting was simple and even a small gearing drop helps.· The air is full of bits of dust and small drops of water.· The day was a huge success, despite a small drop in attendance figures.· For a somewhat analogous situation, think of a small drop of ink placed in a large container of water.· He stood there under his umbrella, watching the rain slide off it in small, fine drops.· A small minority drop showers of recoverable meteorites on the ground, but most are utterly disrupted in their final explosion.· Occasionally a drop would splash against the deck next to my face and spawn smaller drops that landed on my nose.
· I saw the frightened horses on the edge of a steep drop.· Big Thunder is weak as roller coasters go with no steep drops or loops.· On his second wave he took a steep drop and his nose dug in.· The index earlier was down 100 points, its steepest drop since Dec. 18.· Already there was a very steep drop and as she looked up her heart almost stopped.· The river has curved round and Odd-Knut has drawn up a few metres from the edge of a very steep drop.· Then there is a much steeper drop up to 2,000 fathoms.· Turn right, with a steep drop on the left where the path descends towards the Upper Neuadd reservoir.
· Scientists had discovered that a sudden drop in cabin pressure had caused some types of implants to swell rapidly.· This makes their prices less vulnerable to sudden drops.· A sudden drop in the wind told her the worst was over.· From that jumping-off point, the plot hits hairpin turns, sudden cliff drops and delirious loops of logic and technology.· But she had no leisure to enjoy the spectacle of Mrs Quatt's sudden drop from favour.
· It can not climb back from a vertical drop since it lacks the body diameter of the rabbit.
NOUN· Sterile eye drops can be purchased for this purpose.· Both eye irritation and redness are helped with lubricating eye drops and eye ointments.· They also have literature on the correct use of things such as eye drops and inhalers.· Patients receive an eye drop anaesthetic for the procedure which is only available privately at a cost of £1,300 per eye.
· He was responsible for 12 of Ireland's 17 points, comprised of two penalties and two drop goals.· A Hughie Nicholson try and a conversion, penalty and drop goal from Bland earned City the points.· He added to his first-half penalty with two second-half drop goals and landed a further penalty.· Gary Parker, who was playing at scrum-half, kicked two conversions while David Leighton landed a drop goal.· His superb line-kicking and two brilliant last-minute drop goals brought wild scenes to Stradey Park.· If the drop goal were reduced to two points and the penalty goal to two points, that would be more sensible.· Cardiff won 15-6, with four penalties and a drop goal by fly half Adrian Davies.· Fox scored two tries, five goals and a neatly-taken drop goal.
· Only 49 % gave him their approval-a 10-point drop on the previous survey.
· Gilts suffered too, with price drops of up to a point.· The same could happen in San Diego, but even the new competitors are warning against expecting a big price drop.· The Chester-based group announced profits of more than £111ma 17.4% jump which sparked an immediate 1% price drop for its 1.3m customers.· Few price drops are expected as the season progresses.· Once patent life has ended, the manufacturers' price drops and parallel trading is barely profitable.· That followed a 19 % price drop on Tuesday.· It could mean a price drop of around ten per cent.
· This temperature drop is represented by the vertical line DD' in the phase diagram.· They sat there with the door open to let the temperature drop before driving off.
VERB· Pour about half a litre of near-boiling water into a bowl and add two to four drops of essential oil.· For a 1 or 2 percent concentration, add one or two drops of essential oil to each teaspoonful of base oil.· If the greenery is grimy add a drop of washing-up liquid.· It's much better to add a little up to drop the nose.· The simplest method is to add five or six drops of essential oil on to a handkerchief and inhale as required.· Occasionally, I add 3 drops of cedarwood to this blend which brings it down a little. 2.· Whisk the egg which and add a flew drops of flavouring & colouring. 3.
· That move caused such a drop in viewing figures that regulators ordered it to be restored to its former place.· The number of workers on long-term layoffs also declined, causing a drop in the value of unemployment claims.· So what caused the big drop in the market?
· Of the dailies, Today's circulation has registered the worst seasonal drop, falling to 466,631 from 513,673.· A drop of water fell on her bare arm and she jerked, a little bitten-off exclamation.· Icy drops of water fell from them on to her sun-warmed arms.· The party broke up early when the sky darkened and the first drops of rain fell.· They had walked past the cottages and were half-way down the hill when the first drop of rain fell.· The drop was attributed to falling prices for raw materials, a sign of weaker industrial demand.· The next evening was dark and cloudy; a storm threatened and already the first drops of rain were falling.· But every drop that fell contained the promise of another leaf, another blossom, another blade of grass in the spring.
· Monthly rainfall figures show a 16-fold drop in rainfall from September 1988 to the start of last year.· Industrial output for January showed a drop of 1.2 percent and only 81.9 percent of industrial capacity was in use.· Government figures for 1998 and 1999 also show the sharpest drop in any year since 1970.· Analysis of the health service performance indicators shows a large drop in the proportion of night visits performed by deputising services.· Figures out today show a drop of thirty-five percent in the number of murders.· Such critical features of the peasant economy as horse-ownership showed a disastrous drop during the late nineteenth century.
· The Socialists suffered a sharp drop in votes and seats.· The Berras did not, for example, have to suffer through a 43-percent drop in 1931.· The major financial effect was for the Gazette which suffered a £1.3m drop in income against the original 1992 budget.· However, it is possible to lose weight and not suffer a large drop in metabolic rate.· He outclasses the nerdy Damon, and the picture suffers a drop in voltage when Law is off-screen.
· Men in the North still drink the most with East Anglian males hardly touching a drop.· Gently touch this drop on to the surface of the spreading solution.· When we are rehearsing and recording he never touches a drop of alcohol; but afterwards there are many toasts and celebrations.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRYPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► drop the ball► drop the c-bomb/f-bomb► the bottom drops/falls out of the market► drop dead!► fit to drop► somebody’s jaw dropped► knockout pills/drops etc► let something drop/rest/lie► you could hear a pin drop
1liquid [countable] a very small amount of liquid that falls in a round shapedrop of- The United States pledge of $100 million to the rainforest fund is a drop in the ocean.
- Third World debt is so massive that recent pledges to reduce or forgive it are just a drop in the bucket.
- With 2m men and women in uniform, a 60,000-strong force is just a drop in the ocean.
- And remember - if you're using eye drops for your hay fever, leave your contact lenses out.
- Both eye irritation and redness are helped with lubricating eye drops and eye ointments.
- Sterile eye drops can be purchased for this purpose.
- That was the other thing, it took me a long fight to get my eye drops.
- They also have literature on the correct use of things such as eye drops and inhalers.
- This has distinct advantages over using eye drops.
- He's willing to organize anything guests want at the drop of a hat.
- Bob had a brown paper poke in his hand from which he was eating magic mushrooms as if they were lemon drops.
- Grocer profits While other retailers are dropping like flies, supermarkets are making fat profits.
- Our kids are dropping like flies.
- The men were dying like flies, of fever.
- They should be dropping like flies, but that hasn't been the case.
- After he finished telling the story you could have heard a pin drop.
- It was so quiet in the hall you could hear a pin drop.
- You could hear a pin drop in the auditorium during Norvell's speech.
- What do you think? Drop me a line at the Washington Post Weekend section and share your thoughts.
- Why don't you give me a call or drop me a line sometime?
- Do drop me a line, Mrs Surridge, or anyone else who's interested.
- Do spare time to drop me a line.
- If any walls appear to lean, check by going back to the nearest upper window and drop a plumb line down.
- If he can not do so, perhaps he will drop me a line.
- Other cities have dropped their line items without allowing departments to keep any of their savings.
- So if there are any problems drop me a line.
- Then get cracking, drop me a line with your suggestions.
- What ever the reason is, Mr Heaps, please drop us a line to tell us about it.
- Men and horses went down like ninepins before them, in a tangle of waving limbs, flailing hooves and broken lances.
- At this point the penny dropped.
- I was about to ask Jack who it was, when the penny dropped.
- Suddenly the penny dropped, and Meredith knew why he'd been prowling about the airport like an angry lion.
- Then the penny dropped and he realised that the man had meant a fan- bearer.
- A word in the ear of the Weatherfield constabulary.
- His resolve ends when again he wakes at dawn with prophetic words in his ears.
- If I were you I'd drop a quiet word in her ear before it's too late.
- Mixed blessings' A word in your ear.
As the first drops of rain began to fall, Michael started to run. A single drop of blood splashed onto the floor. A drop of sweat ran down her forehead and into her eye. → rain drop, teardrop► see thesaurus at piece2small amount [usually singular] informal a)a small amount of liquid that you drink, especially alcoholdrop of
She likes to add a drop of brandy to her tea. George hasn’t touched a drop (=drunk any alcohol) for years. b)a small amount of somethingdrop of I haven’t got a drop of sympathy for him.3reduction [singular] a reduction in the amount, level, or number of something, especially a large or sudden one SYN falldrop in Manufacturers report a big drop in new orders. a drop in temperaturea sharp/dramatic/marked drop in something The results showed a sharp drop in profits.4distance to ground [singular] a distance from a higher point down to the ground or to a lower point: There was a steep drop on one side of the track. a 20-metre drop There was an almost sheer (=vertical) drop to the valley below.5at the drop of a hat immediately and without pausing to think about what you are going to do: Some of these corporations threaten to sue at the drop of a hat.6delivery [countable] an act of delivering something somewhere, for example by dropping it from a plane SYN delivery: Air drops (=from a plane) of food aid were made to the region yesterday. My first drop of the day is usually somewhere in north London. → mail drop7lemon/fruit/chocolate etc drop a sweet that tastes of lemon etc8a drop in the ocean British English, a drop in the bucket American English a very small amount of something compared to what is needed or wanted: 5,000 new schools are to be built, but this is just a drop in the ocean for such a vast country.9eye/ear etc drops a type of medicine that you put in your eye, ear etc, one drop at a time