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 Police data show calls then dropped back down — there were again fewer than 300 in both 2021 and 2022 — before appearing to tick up during the first three quarters of last year. Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Mar. 2024 As Lamar Jackson dropped back a few steps, Dolphins linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel and defensive tackle Christian Wilkins closed in. Brian Wacker, Baltimore Sun, 9 Feb. 2024 Anthony Davis had 26 points and 12 rebounds, and LeBron James added 24 points and 10 rebounds for the Lakers, who dropped back below .500 at 21-22. Joe Reedy, USA TODAY, 20 Jan. 2024 Buffalo quarterback Doug Flutie dropped back to pass. Steve Svekis, Sun Sentinel, 12 Jan. 2024 The latest preview doesn’t stray that far from the one that dropped back in June 2023, serving more of a reminder that, yes, Challengers is coming out. Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 21 Feb. 2024 Instead, the 35-year-old Cousins has put out several videos of him dropping back and throwing a variety of passes. Steve Silverman, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 Brock Purdy had ample time to drop back and survey the field, running through his progressions with ease. Steve Gardner, USA TODAY, 11 Feb. 2024 Should stay dry Friday night as lows drop back into the 40s. Dan Stillman, Washington Post, 24 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.

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

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 28 Mar. 2024.

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