drop the issue

USAGE SUMMARY

"drop the issue" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
You could use it when you are trying to indicate that a certain problem or disagreement should no longer be discussed or pursued. For example, "I think it would be best for all of us if we dropped the issue and moved on."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

The pressure on Mr. Filippov by United Russia leaders to drop the issue has been enormous, opposition legislators said.

The New York Times

If you do not drop the issue, she will try to defuse the conflict, often by crying.

The New Yorker

But some Republicans said their party would be making a mistake to drop the issue of tax cuts.

The New York Times

Only after the Maryland supreme court decided to hear the case in December 2006 did Matrixx drop the issue.

The New York Times

He worries, he said, that the Arab states will give in to Israeli demands to drop the issue altogether.

The New York Times

He said he feared that they might then drop the issue by saying they had done all they could.

The New York Times

But that was nothing compared with the decision in June to drop the issue price from 82p per share to 55p.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

So they dropped the issue.

The New York Times

A chastened Ochs dropped the issue.

The New York Times - Books

The governor then dropped the issue publicly.

The Washington Post

They traded a few more barbs before dropping the issue.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "drop the issue" when you want to suggest that further discussion or pursuit of a topic is unproductive or harmful. It implies a deliberate decision to stop focusing on the matter.

Common error

Avoid using "drop the issue" as a means to sidestep or avoid addressing a legitimate problem. While it's useful for ending unproductive arguments, ensure the core concern isn't simply ignored or left unresolved. Misusing the phrase can lead to unresolved conflicts and resentment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "drop the issue" functions as an idiomatic expression used to suggest or instruct the cessation of discussion, debate, or pursuit of a particular matter. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "drop the issue" is a very common and grammatically correct idiom used to suggest ending further discussion or pursuit of a particular matter, according to Ludwig AI. It's frequently found in news and media, as well as to a lesser extent in scientific and formal contexts. When using this phrase, it's important to consider the context and ensure that the underlying problem isn't simply ignored. While it's useful for resolving conflicts and redirecting focus, misusing it can lead to unresolved concerns. Alternatives include "abandon the matter" or "cease discussion on the topic", which offer similar meanings with varying degrees of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

abandon the matter

Replaces 'drop' with 'abandon' and 'issue' with 'matter', indicating a complete cessation of focus.

cease discussion on the topic

Replaces the idiom with a more formal and explicit instruction to stop talking about something.

discontinue the debate

Implies a formal end to an argument or discussion, rather than just setting aside a problem.

shelve the matter

Suggests putting something aside temporarily, rather than necessarily ending it completely.

set aside the concern

Focuses on the act of disregarding a worry or problem, rather than a formal issue.

forget about it

An informal way of saying to not worry or think about something anymore.

let it go

Suggests releasing or surrendering a concern, similar to 'set aside' but more emotional.

move on from the subject

Focuses on transitioning away from a particular topic, rather than resolving it.

table the question

Implies postponing discussion to a later date, rather than ending it entirely.

end the dispute

Focuses specifically on resolving a disagreement or argument.

FAQs

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

You can use "drop the issue" to suggest ceasing discussion or action on a particular topic. For example, "After the failed negotiations, they decided to "drop the issue" entirely."

What's a more formal way to say "drop the issue"?

In more formal contexts, you might consider alternatives like "abandon the matter" or "cease discussion on the topic" to convey a similar meaning with increased formality.

Is "drop the issue" appropriate for all situations?

While "drop the issue" is widely understood, its appropriateness depends on the context. In sensitive or serious situations, it might sound dismissive. Consider more empathetic phrasing or providing clear reasons when suggesting to "set aside the concern".

What's the difference between "drop the issue" and "shelve the matter"?

"Drop the issue" implies ending discussion or action, while "shelve the matter" suggests postponing it. "Drop the issue" means to stop dealing with something altogether, but shelving implies a later review.