drop the idea

USAGE SUMMARY

"drop the idea" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to let go of or discard a thought or plan. Example: "After much consideration, I have decided to drop the idea of starting my own business and instead focus on my current job."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He was persuaded to drop the idea.

Independent

The Legislature should drop the idea and finish the budget.

The New York Times

Better yet, he should drop the idea altogether.

The New York Times

Perhaps the solution, Hyman said, is to drop the idea that "counselling" is necessary.

The New Yorker

Still, big business didn't drop the idea of getting itself a tax cut.

The New Yorker

Then he made a suggestion: why not drop the idea of zones altogether?

The New York Times

Gideon agreed to drop the idea of a change of venue.

The New York Times - Magazine

I was more than willing to drop the idea of a toxic gas.

The New Yorker

Also: drop the idea of trying to sell pricey BB10 handsets in 2013.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

He dropped the idea of selflessness.

The New Yorker

He eventually drops the idea.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "drop the idea" when you want to clearly communicate that a plan, suggestion, or thought has been abandoned or is no longer being considered. It is appropriate in both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Be careful not to use "drop the idea" when you only intend to temporarily postpone a plan. If the idea might be revisited later, consider using phrases like "shelve for now" or "put on hold" instead.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "drop the idea" is as a phrasal verb. It's used to express the act of abandoning or ceasing to consider a plan, suggestion, or thought. Ludwig AI confirms this is a correct and commonly used phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Academia

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "drop the idea" is a common and grammatically correct phrasal verb used to indicate the abandonment of a plan or thought. Ludwig AI validates its widespread use across diverse contexts. While its register is generally neutral, more formal alternatives may suit academic or professional settings. It's crucial to use it accurately, ensuring it reflects a permanent abandonment rather than a temporary pause. Related phrases such as "abandon the plan" and "dismiss the concept" offer nuanced ways to express similar meanings. The phrase appears frequently in news and media, reflecting its relevance in describing decision-making processes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

abandon the thought

Focuses on letting go of a particular idea or line of thinking.

abandon the plan

Emphasizes a complete and often abrupt cessation of a plan.

dismiss the concept

Implies rejecting an idea as not worth further attention or consideration.

disregard the notion

Implies treating an idea as unimportant or irrelevant and dismissing it.

scrap the plan

Indicates discarding a plan because it is no longer viable or desirable.

reconsider the suggestion

Suggests a thoughtful review and potential abandonment of a proposed idea.

cease to consider the proposal

Formally indicates stopping the evaluation or contemplation of a presented proposal.

set aside the concept

This suggests putting aside the idea to focus on more important issues.

shelve the project

Suggests postponing or abandoning a project, often temporarily.

forget about it

A more informal way of saying to abandon the idea. This phrase can also mean to not worry about something.

FAQs

How can I use "drop the idea" in a sentence?

You can use "drop the idea" to indicate that someone has abandoned a plan or suggestion, such as, "After reviewing the costs, we decided to "drop the idea" of expanding our office."

What are some alternatives to "drop the idea"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "abandon the plan", "reconsider the suggestion", or "dismiss the concept".

Is "drop the idea" formal or informal?

"Drop the idea" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal settings. However, in very formal contexts, you might prefer phrases like "cease to consider the proposal".

What's the difference between ""drop the idea"" and "shelve the project"?

"Drop the idea" suggests a permanent abandonment, while "shelve the project" implies a temporary postponement with the possibility of revisiting the project later.