drop back

verb

dropped back; dropping back; drops back
Synonyms of drop backnext

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.
Hall of Fame quarterback John Unitas, arguably the best ever at his position, dropped back to pass. Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 6 Jan. 2026 Clouds increase tonight Temperatures cool through the 30s during the evening hours, then drop back into the low and mid-20s outside of Baltimore City by sunrise. Cutter Martin, CBS News, 5 Jan. 2026 Buechele took a took a deep drop back, airing it 51 yards downfield to wide receiver Hollywood Brown, who ran a deep post that broke toward the left sideline. Kansas City Star, 5 Jan. 2026 Afternoon temperatures drop back into the 70s by Thursday and Friday ahead of our next cold front. Newsroom Meteorologist, Austin American Statesman, 5 Jan. 2026 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 9 Jan. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on drop back

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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