drop you a quick line

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'drop you a quick line' is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to quickly send someone a message, either for personal or business communication. For example: "I'm just dropping you a quick line to check if you got my email earlier today about the project proposal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Wanted to drop you a quick line informing you of layoffs at ChaCha today.

TechCrunch

"I just wanted to drop you a quick line to give you an update you on what I've been doing since completing my Program II at Duke. "I'm very excited as I've just completed a round of very successful graduate school applications and interviews in which I spent a lot of time talking about my Program II and how it has prepared me for graduate studies.

Duke University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Please, if you have a moment, just drop me a quick line?

The New Yorker

With all that in mind, we decided to drop Stuart Baker, Soul Jazz's founder, a quick line to discuss the compilation and the "obnoxious and creative" artists found within.

Vice

If you haven't heard from them in three weeks, then you can drop them a quick email.

Huffington Post

If it was you, please drop me a line, of course.

University of Chicago

You can't just drop in, take a quick look around, and drive off.

The New Yorker

But secretly, you may be doing it to drop a quick seven to 10 pounds (see number one).

HuffPost

You might want to drop the price if you want a quick sale.

WikiHow

(Her signature is a quick horizontal line).

The New York Times

If you're interested in checking out Love Invers Reversed, why don't you drop Chip a line?

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "drop you a quick line" in emails or messages to convey that you're sending a short, informal note, especially when you don't have time for a lengthy message.

Common error

Avoid using "drop you a quick line" in formal business correspondence or academic papers. It can come across as unprofessional or too casual. Opt for more formal phrases like "I am writing to you" or "Please find attached".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "drop you a quick line" functions as an idiom used to introduce a short and informal message. It sets the expectation that the communication will be brief and to the point, as exemplified by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Academia

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "drop you a quick line" is a grammatically sound and commonly employed phrase used to indicate a brief and informal message. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and general usage. While versatile, it's best suited for casual contexts and should be avoided in formal or professional communications. Remember, alternatives like "send you a brief message" or "shoot you a short note" may be more appropriate depending on your audience and the setting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

send you a brief message

Focuses on the action of sending a message, emphasizing its brevity.

shoot you a short note

Uses "shoot" to imply speed and informality, similar to "drop".

write you a fast email

Highlights the speed and medium of communication.

ping you a quick message

Employs "ping" as a modern, tech-related synonym for a brief contact.

scribble you a short letter

Implies a handwritten, brief note.

give you a quick call

Changes the medium to a phone call, maintaining the brevity.

leave you a brief voicemail

Focuses on leaving a voicemail message quickly.

get in touch briefly

A more general way to express making a short contact.

send a short communication

Uses more formal language while retaining the aspect of brevity.

touch base quickly

An idiom that means making brief contact to update or check in.

FAQs

What does "drop you a quick line" mean?

It means to send someone a short, informal message, usually via email or text. It implies brevity and casual communication.

When is it appropriate to use "drop you a quick line"?

It's appropriate in informal settings such as communicating with friends, family, or close colleagues. It's less suitable for formal business or academic communication.

What are some alternatives to "drop you a quick line"?

Alternatives include "send you a brief message", "shoot you a short note", or "get in touch briefly", depending on the context.

Is "drop you a quick line" grammatically correct?

Yes, it is grammatically correct and a commonly used phrase in English, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.