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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Jordan Love dropped back, locked in to his left with two wide receivers running deep. Jon MacHota, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025 Jackson dropped back to pass, but the play just never developed. Kansas City Star, 29 Sep. 2025 Faced with a fourth-and-1, Denegal dropped back, looked to run, then tried lobbing a pass to tight end Seth Adams. Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Sep. 2025 Facing third and goal, Wells dropped back and decided to tuck the ball, dodging two defenders on his way to a seven-yard touchdown run. Jordan Neal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for drop back

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Drop back.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/drop%20back. Accessed 3 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on drop back

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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