drop away

USAGE SUMMARY

'drop away' is a legitimate phrase in written English that is used to describe something that has been abandoned, or that has declined significantly.
For example: "The woman watched as her old life quickly dropped away."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The ground seemed to drop away.

The New York Times

Boats could still drop away from the river.

The New Yorker

"The wind took the drop away from me," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

"Prices drop away from the water," Mr. Horricks said.

The New York Times

Other cars just drop away like falling fruit.

The Guardian

But when pressed on specific instances of those failings her good humor would drop away.

The New Yorker

These sentinels then drop away from the slug, taking the pathogen with it.

The New York Times - Science

Then it will drop away from the parachute and ignite rocket engines.

The New York Times

Crackle and hiss drop away; the bass grows richer, the treble less shrill.

The New Yorker

Then the trees drop away, and the mountains are visible in the distance.

The New York Times - Travel

That is starting to drop away but it is still powerful," Thompson said.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "drop away" to describe a gradual decline or disappearance, whether physical or metaphorical. For instance, "The initial excitement began to drop away as the project dragged on."

Common error

Avoid using "drop away" to describe something that vanishes instantly. "Drop away" implies a gradual process, not an immediate disappearance. Use alternatives like "vanish" or "disappear" for sudden removals.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "drop away" functions primarily as an intransitive phrasal verb. It signifies a gradual decline, decrease, or disappearance. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in describing physical changes (like terrain) and abstract concepts (like enthusiasm or performance).

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "drop away" is a frequently used and grammatically correct phrasal verb that signifies a gradual decline or disappearance. As confirmed by Ludwig, its usage spans various contexts, including describing physical changes and metaphorical reductions. While versatile, it's crucial to remember that "drop away" implies a gradual process, not an instantaneous one. It is frequently found in News & Media sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fall off

Indicates a decrease in quantity or quality.

taper off

Suggests a gradual reduction to a point or end.

peter out

Indicates a gradual decrease and eventual cessation.

diminish

Suggests a reduction in size, importance, or intensity.

lessen

Suggests a reduction in amount, degree, or intensity.

recede

Implies a gradual withdrawal or decrease in importance.

wane

Implies a decline in power, influence, or extent.

fade

Indicates a gradual loss of color, strength, or distinctness.

ebb

Implies a decline or weakening, often used in relation to tides or emotions.

slacken

Implies a reduction in speed, intensity, or effort.

FAQs

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

You can use "drop away" to describe a gradual decline or disappearance. For example, "Her initial enthusiasm began to "fade" and her commitment started to "drop away".

What does "drop away" mean?

"Drop away" typically means to gradually decrease, diminish, or disappear. It suggests a slow and steady decline rather than a sudden vanishing.

What can I say instead of "drop away"?

You can use alternatives like "recede", "diminish", or "wane" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say 'the pain dropped away'?

Yes, "the pain dropped away" is correct. It means the pain gradually lessened or disappeared over time. You could also say the pain "subsided".