drop back
verb
dropped back; dropping back; drops back
1
: retreat
2
: to move straight back from the line of scrimmage
the quarterback drops back to pass
Synonyms
Examples of drop back in a Sentence
a change in the wind direction forced the firefighters to drop back
Recent Examples on the Web
Mostly clear with diminishing winds Friday evening and overnight as lows drop back to the mid-40s to near 50.
—
Dan Stillman, Washington Post, 10 Apr. 2024
While many violent crimes are dropping back to pre-pandemic levels, transit officials say assaults on their operators remain at unprecedented heights.
—Minnah Arshad, USA TODAY, 26 Mar. 2024
For the last two years, 10 acts have been nominated in each of those categories, but this year the number has dropped back down to eight contenders per contest.
—Christie D’zurilla, Los Angeles Times, 2 Feb. 2024
In a December 1974 playoff game between the Dolphins and Raiders, Oakland quarterback Ken Stabler -- with his team down 26-21 and 35 seconds left -- dropped back to pass and was flushed out of the pocket and nearly sacked by Dolphins defensive end Vern Den Herder.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2024
Pulido took on the top of the triangle, giving Sporting a second central attacking player while also dropping back to cover the space between the more defensive midfielders and forward Willy Agada.
—Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 29 Mar. 2024
On Thursday, temps drop back into the 50s and there's a chance for rain starting in the morning.
—Jennifer Dixon, Detroit Free Press, 11 Mar. 2024
For instance, on third down early in the second quarter, Patrick Mahomes dropped back, scrambled around through a flock of Ravens defenders, then — as he was being bent in half by a hit to his waist — tossed an end-over-end pass toward his tight end.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2024
This time, on third-and-9 from Kansas City’s 41, Lamar Jackson dropped back and tried to scurry around, but Chiefs safety Justin Reid wrapped him up for a sack.
—Steve Gardner, USA TODAY, 28 Jan. 2024
Dan Stillman, Washington Post, 10 Apr. 2024
While many violent crimes are dropping back to pre-pandemic levels, transit officials say assaults on their operators remain at unprecedented heights.
—Minnah Arshad, USA TODAY, 26 Mar. 2024
For the last two years, 10 acts have been nominated in each of those categories, but this year the number has dropped back down to eight contenders per contest.
—Christie D’zurilla, Los Angeles Times, 2 Feb. 2024
In a December 1974 playoff game between the Dolphins and Raiders, Oakland quarterback Ken Stabler -- with his team down 26-21 and 35 seconds left -- dropped back to pass and was flushed out of the pocket and nearly sacked by Dolphins defensive end Vern Den Herder.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2024
Pulido took on the top of the triangle, giving Sporting a second central attacking player while also dropping back to cover the space between the more defensive midfielders and forward Willy Agada.
—Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 29 Mar. 2024
On Thursday, temps drop back into the 50s and there's a chance for rain starting in the morning.
—Jennifer Dixon, Detroit Free Press, 11 Mar. 2024
For instance, on third down early in the second quarter, Patrick Mahomes dropped back, scrambled around through a flock of Ravens defenders, then — as he was being bent in half by a hit to his waist — tossed an end-over-end pass toward his tight end.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2024
This time, on third-and-9 from Kansas City’s 41, Lamar Jackson dropped back and tried to scurry around, but Chiefs safety Justin Reid wrapped him up for a sack.
—Steve Gardner, USA TODAY, 28 Jan. 2024
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.
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 2 May. 2024.
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