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

Looking ahead, prices aren’t expected to drop back to $70 a barrel until December 2027. — Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 20 July 2026

The inconsistent Sparks have dropped back-to-back games since firing GM Raegan Pebley. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2026

Alex Baena and Lamine Yamal kept Jules Kounde and Lucas Digne on their toes while dropping back to restrict their contributions in the final third. — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 15 July 2026

No one has dropped back more over the last two years than Nix. — Troy Renck, Denver Post, 6 July 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