Drop off

Meaning

The idiom "drop off" means to leave someone or something at a specific place, typically without staying to see if they are being picked up. It can also mean to discontinue doing something or to give up on an idea or plan.

Usage

• She always drops off her groceries at her neighbor's house instead of carrying them back home.
• I dropped off the package at the post office before heading to work.
• We need to drop off the flyers at the coffee shop tomorrow morning for the event tonight.
• After a few weeks of trying, he finally decided to drop off his dreams of becoming a musician.
• She decided to drop off her job and start her own business. The usage of "drop off" can vary depending on the context. For example, it can be used in a casual conversation or in a professional setting. It can also be used with a positive or negative connotation depending on the situation.

Roots and History

The idiom "drop off" is believed to have originated from the early use of horse-drawn carriages. People would stop at a designated spot and leave their packages, groceries, or other items for the carriage driver to pick up and deliver later. Over time, the practice became more common as people began leaving things at specific places without staying to see if they were being picked up.

Synonyms in English

• Leave behind
• Abandon
• Forget
• Neglect
• Disregard

Synonyms in other languages

• French - abandonner (to give up, forsake)
• Spanish - abandonar (to leave, forsake)
• Italian - abbandonare (to leave behind, forsake)
• German - aufgeben (to give up, surrender)
• Japanese - 放棄する (to discard, abandon)

Similar Idioms

• down to the wire

• zonk out

• death knell