drop a line

USAGE SUMMARY

'drop a line' is a phrase that is used in written English.
It is an expression meaning to send a brief, informal message. For example: Be sure to drop me a line if you need any help.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

Drop a line when you've given it some thought.

The New York Times - Arts

Just wanted to drop a line to say thank you for this.

Harvard University

And if anyone knows where I can find a copy of Fifty-Two, please drop a line.

Stanford University

The idea is that you're going to do it once, then drop a line in a different way, in a different way, in a different way.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

On second thought, don't, but please drop a line to the folks at 20th Century Fox, since I'm sure they're just as baffled as the rest of us.

The New York Times

Just to be on the safe side, though, this would be a good moment for all you Massachusetts voters out there to drop a line to your representatives.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

"That was because I dropped a line," Williams said.

The New Yorker

An angler drops a line along the Boise River Greenbelt.

The Washington Post

Nunez, the shortstop, made an error in the fifth, dropping a line drive by Cabrera.

The New York Times - Sports

He has dropped a line down into their souls; fishing there, he found what he needed.

The New York Times

On the dock at dusk, Stanley Sevin dropped a line fishing for speckled trout and shrugged off health concerns.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "drop a line" in informal contexts when you want to encourage someone to contact you without being overly formal. It's a friendly and casual way to invite communication.

Common error

Avoid using "drop a line" in formal business or academic writing. Opt for more professional phrases like "contact me" or "reach out" to maintain a suitable tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "drop a line" functions as an idiomatic expression used to request someone to make contact, often through a brief message. Ludwig provides many examples showcasing this usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Academia

25%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Science

4%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "drop a line" is a very common idiomatic expression used to invite informal communication. As noted by Ludwig, it generally means to send a brief, informal message. It is grammatically correct and frequently appears in News & Media, Academia, and Wiki contexts. While versatile, it's best suited for informal or neutral settings. For more formal situations, consider alternatives like "contact me" or "reach out". Remember to use "drop a line" when you want to create a friendly and approachable tone!

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get in touch

A general phrase for making contact, suitable for most situations.

send a message

A straightforward alternative focusing on the act of sending information.

write a note

Implies a written message, often short and informal.

give a call

Specifically refers to contacting someone by phone.

shoot an email

Refers to sending an email, more casual than "send an email".

reach out

A more formal and business-oriented way of saying "get in touch".

make contact

A formal way to initiate communication.

pen a letter

An older, more formal way to say write a letter.

keep in communication

Focuses on maintaining ongoing contact.

buzz me

Modern slang similar to 'hit me up'.

FAQs

What does "drop a line" mean?

The idiom "drop a line" means to send a brief, informal message to someone, often via email or letter. It's a casual way of saying "get in touch".

How can I use "drop a line" in a sentence?

You can use it like this: "If you have any questions, "drop a line"." Or, "Drop a line when you get a chance to chat."

What are some alternatives to "drop a line"?

Alternatives include "get in touch", "send a message", or "reach out", depending on the context and level of formality.

Is "drop a line" appropriate for professional emails?

While "drop a line" is commonly used, it might be too informal for some professional emails. Consider using "contact me" or "reach out" in more formal settings.