drop back

verb

dropped back; dropping back; drops back

intransitive verb

1
2
: to move straight back from the line of scrimmage
the quarterback drops back to pass

Examples of drop back in a Sentence

a change in the wind direction forced the firefighters to drop back
Recent Examples on the Web Quarterback Payton Thorne dropped back to throw on 12 of Auburn’s first 15 plays. Matt Cohen | McOhen@al.com, al, 17 Sep. 2023 Late in the third quarter, Weber quarterback Kylan Weisser dropped back on a run/pass option and threw to a wideout in the flat. Eric Walden, The Salt Lake Tribune, 16 Sep. 2023 Purdue quarterback Hudson Card dropped back on a third-and-2 in the first quarter and threw a pass in Burks' direction. Chantz Martin, Fox News, 2 Sep. 2023 Then, two players later, Mordecai dropped back and threw an interception straight to Devin Grant. Jr Radcliffe, Journal Sentinel, 2 Sep. 2023 Milford Mill quarterback Deshawn Purdie dropped back on a third-and-6 at his own 44-yard line and fired the ball down the sideline, but it was intercepted by Oakdale’s Brayden DeWaal, who returned it 59 yards for a 7-0 lead with 3:16 left in the first quarter. Mike Frainie, Baltimore Sun, 1 Sep. 2023 With just over 2:40 left to play, Noland dropped back, reversed course to his right, broke out of a tackle and scrambled back to his left and found a receiver 20 yards downfield. Andrew Gillis, cleveland, 19 Aug. 2023 Also, guys like Jamal Hill coming down into the room now, coming from safety as well, Matayo, a guy that can do a lot of things, also drop back into coverage and do a good job rushing the passer. oregonlive, 21 July 2023 Hurricane Lee intensified into a Category 5 hurricane Thursday in the Atlantic Ocean before dropping back down to a Category 4 hurricane, the National Hurricane Center said Friday morning. Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 8 Sep. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'drop back.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1927, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of drop back was in 1927

Dictionary Entries Near drop back

Cite this Entry

“Drop back.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/drop%20back. Accessed 4 Oct. 2023.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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