drop a touch

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "drop a touch" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in informal contexts to suggest reducing something slightly, but it is not widely recognized. Example: "If the sauce is too salty, you might want to drop a touch of salt next time."

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Perhaps a lesson could be learned: salaries could drop a touch; we could have less reverence for boys just out of school and managers with fingers in too many pies.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Until, hang on, Anderson drops a touch short and Williamson pulls him away for a couple.

The Guardian - Sport

Next up, though, he drops a touch short, a touch wide and Prior mullers him for four through point.

The Guardian - Sport

Though Dortmund continued to boss possession and territory, they did so with far less venom than in the first half with Arsenal frustrating them by dropping a touch deeper and looking a lot more compact in midfield.

BBC

After the wing Alex Lewington beat two, only to drop a hand into touch as he crossed, Greig Tonks kicked a penalty, the first Premiership points scored on foreign soil.

The Guardian - Sport

Of course, Apple is likely getting ready to drop a new iPod touch in the coming month, which should have a camera.

TechCrunch

On Monday, Caforio laid out all the issues where Trump and Knight are similar, from abortion to deportation to threatening to "drop" a protestor who touched him.

Huffington Post

Have to wonder when Donovan will decide to drop a bit deeper- very few touches for he and Dempsey right now.

The Guardian - Sport

This time, though, his scoring drops just a touch and it opens the door to Taylor.

The Guardian - Sport

"As such, transaction levels have dropped back a touch and there is no particular driver for these to change significantly over the foreseeable future".

BBC

Don't make yourself sound like you might have a cold, just drop your voice a touch so he has to lean in.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "drop a touch", ensure the context is informal and the intended meaning is clearly understood as a slight reduction. In formal writing, consider using more precise alternatives like "reduce slightly".

Common error

Avoid using "drop a touch" in formal or academic writing. It can sound imprecise and may not be appropriate for a professional tone. Opt for alternatives like "decrease slightly" or "reduce marginally".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "drop a touch" primarily functions as an idiomatic expression, suggesting a slight reduction or adjustment. Ludwig indicates that the phrase, while understood, is not standard in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "drop a touch" is an informal phrase used to indicate a slight reduction or adjustment. While understandable, it is not considered standard in written English according to Ludwig. More precise alternatives like "reduce slightly" are preferable in formal contexts. This analysis, based on a limited number of examples, suggests caution in using "drop a touch" in professional or academic writing, as it may be perceived as imprecise.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduce slightly

Emphasizes a small reduction, similar to "drop a touch".

decrease a bit

Focuses on a minor lessening in quantity or intensity.

lower marginally

Suggests a small decrease in a measured value.

lessen somewhat

Indicates a moderate reduction, close in meaning to "drop a touch".

diminish slightly

Highlights a small reduction in size, importance, or intensity.

tone down a little

Implies a slight softening or moderation of something.

scale back slightly

Suggests a small reduction in scope or scale.

ease off a bit

Indicates a slight reduction in pressure or intensity.

soften a little

Emphasizes a gentle reduction in harshness or intensity.

temper slightly

Implies a slight moderation or adjustment to achieve balance.

FAQs

What does "drop a touch" mean?

The phrase "drop a touch" means to reduce something slightly or to make a small adjustment, often in an informal context.

What can I say instead of "drop a touch"?

You can use alternatives like "reduce slightly", "decrease a bit", or "lessen somewhat" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "drop a touch"?

While not strictly incorrect, "drop a touch" is considered informal. More formal alternatives are preferable in professional or academic settings.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "drop a touch"?

It is appropriate to use "drop a touch" in casual conversations or informal writing where a relaxed tone is acceptable. Avoid it in formal reports or academic papers.