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

Last week, the quarterback shared a video of himself dropping back to throw on his official Instagram account. —Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026

Daily use has dropped back down since the holiday frenzy, according to online news reports. —John Ruwitch, NPR, 30 Mar. 2026

Ridden Saturday for the first time by jockey Flavien Prat, Commandment dropped back to last in the field of six midway through the 1 1/8-mile stakes, content to allow the others to contest the pace. —Clark Spencer, Miami Herald, 29 Mar. 2026

Highs drop back into the 50s, maybe even some 40s, with an unsettled feel and a few more shower chances Thursday into Friday. —Andrew Kozak, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1927, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for drop back

• aback
• anzac
• attack
• backpack
• backtrack
• bareback
• blackjack
• brownback
• buyback
• callback
• cognac
• comeback