it dropped like

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it dropped like" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that falls suddenly or dramatically, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "The stock prices dropped like a rock after the announcement of the merger."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Instead it dropped like a sack of fat spuds.

The Guardian - Sport

Then the market gyration, where it dropped like 700 or 800 points in one day.

The New York Times - Magazine

It dropped like a rock," says Joe Coleman, president of RiteCheck.

The Guardian - Money

To me it dropped like a ton of bricked iPhones.

TechCrunch

They wouldn't recognize good news if it dropped like gold bricks into their laps.

Forbes

Then it dropped like a rock when Corel couldn't figure out how to make money with Linux.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The question heading into its second weekend (pray for Game Night and Annihilation) is whether it drops like a normal MCU flick (around 55%) or parlays its white-hot buzz into a hold closer to Wonder Woman or Spider-Man.

Forbes

It drops, like, a hundred fifty feet in three miles.

The New Yorker

After a burst of energy, growth does not descend gradually; it drops like a stone.

Harvard Business Review

Some years it drops like death on the garden, blackening everything in sight.

The New York Times

Dogma is coming, of course, and, when it does, it drops like a sinker (with the Randian code word "collectivism").

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it dropped like" when you want to emphasize a sudden and often unexpected decrease or fall. Ensure the simile used after "like" is vivid and contributes to the impact of the statement. For instance, "it dropped like a rock" conveys a faster and more decisive fall than "it dropped like a feather".

Common error

Avoid using similes that contradict the intended meaning. For example, saying "it dropped like a feather" when describing a stock market crash would be incongruous, as feathers fall slowly, not rapidly. Choose similes that accurately reflect the speed and impact of the drop.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it dropped like" functions as a simile, comparing the manner of something falling to a known object or scenario. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes a sudden or dramatic descent. The examples show its versatility in describing diverse situations, from stock market crashes to physical falls.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it dropped like" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, used to vividly describe a sudden decrease or fall. Its effectiveness lies in the simile that follows "like", which should be carefully chosen to accurately reflect the speed and manner of the drop. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts. Related phrases include "it plummeted like" and "it fell like". Avoid using similes that contradict the intended meaning to maintain clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it plummeted like

Replaces "dropped" with a more dramatic verb, suggesting a faster and steeper decline.

it fell like

Uses a simpler verb, "fell", to convey the idea of something descending rapidly.

it sank like

Implies a downward movement into something, like water, adding a sense of being submerged.

it declined sharply like

Adds the adverb "sharply" to emphasize the suddenness and severity of the decrease.

it crashed like

Suggests a violent and abrupt downward movement, often implying damage or destruction.

it nosedived like

Uses aviation terminology to describe a steep and rapid descent, typically headfirst.

it tumbled like

Conveys a sense of uncontrolled and chaotic downward motion.

it plunged like

Implies a forceful and sudden downward thrust or dive.

it dived like

Suggests a swift and intentional downward movement, similar to diving into water.

it slumped like

Conveys a slow and heavy downward movement, often due to a loss of support or energy.

FAQs

How can I use "it dropped like" in a sentence?

Use "it dropped like" to describe something that suddenly decreases or falls rapidly. For example, "The temperature it dropped like a stone overnight".

What can I say instead of "it dropped like"?

You can use alternatives like "it plummeted like", "it fell like", or "it sank like" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "it dropped down like"?

While understandable, "it dropped down like" is somewhat redundant. The word "dropped" already implies downward movement, so using "down" is unnecessary. Stick to "it dropped like" for clearer and more concise writing.

What's the difference between "it dropped like a rock" and "it fell like a leaf"?

"It dropped like a rock" implies a fast, direct, and heavy fall, while "it fell like a leaf" suggests a slow, gentle, and wavering descent. The choice depends on the nature of the fall you're describing.