drop back

verb

dropped back; dropping back; drops back

intransitive verb

1

: retreat

2

: to move straight back from the line of scrimmage

the quarterback drops back to pass

Synonyms of drop back

• withdraw
• retreat
• fall back
• pull out
• retire

Examples of drop back in a Sentence

a change in the wind direction forced the firefighters to drop back

Recent Examples on the Web

In 2025, however, this figure dropped back to about 12 percent, near its average of 12 percent since 2010. — Andrew McAfee, Foreign Affairs, 23 Sep. 2026

As Dart dropped back to pass during the opening drive of Monday’s game, he was hit in the backfield by two converging Rams pass rushers. — Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2026

Then, on the very next series, Philo coolly dropped back on third-and-11 – with the crowd going bonkers – and fired a 20-yard TD strike to Dallas Wilson. — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Sep. 2026

On 3rd and 5 from West Virginia’s own 38-yard-line, Hawkins dropped back under duress and chucked it up towards the left sideline. — Charlotte Observer, 20 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1927, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for drop back

• aback
• attack
• backpack
• backtrack
• bareback
• blackjack
• brownback
• buyback
• callback
• cognac
• comeback
• cutback