Drop by

Meaning

The idiom "drop by" means to visit someone unannounced or unexpectedly. It is a casual way of inviting oneself to someone's home or workplace without prior arrangement. The literal meaning of the phrase is "to drop something by," which refers to delivering a package or message without staying long.

Usage

• I decided to drop by my friend's house to see if she needed anything.
• The manager asked me to drop by her office to discuss some important issues.
• My neighbor often drops by with freshly baked cookies.
• My colleague dropped by to borrow a stapler from my desk.
• I dropped by the library to return a book that was due. The usage of "drop by" can vary depending on the context. For example, it can be used in a friendly and informal tone or in a more formal and polite manner. It can also be used to express surprise or unannounced visits.

Roots and History

The idiom "drop by" has its roots in the early 19th century. The earliest known use of the phrase was recorded in 1827 in the Oxford English Dictionary. At that time, it referred to dropping something off at someone's house without staying long. Over time, the phrase evolved to mean visiting someone unannounced. There are no significant changes in meaning or usage over time. However, the idiom has become more common and widely used in contemporary language.

Synonyms in English

• Pop by
• Stop by
• Visit
• Drop in
• Pay a visit

Synonyms in other languages

• Spanish: Visitante no invitado (uninvited guest)
• French: Visiteur surprise (surprise visitor)
• German: Unerwarteter Besucher (unexpected visitor)
• Italian: Ospite sorpreso (surprised guest)
• Japanese: 偶然的な会い (chance encounter)

Similar Idioms

• as the crow flies

• do the trick

• drain the swamp