drop back
verb
dropped back; dropping back; drops back
1
: retreat
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
Mortgage rates dropped back a bit to start this week, according to a separate survey from Mortgage News Daily (MND).
—
Diana Olick, CNBC, 26 Nov. 2025
The United States has very clearly dropped back.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 26 Nov. 2025
On third-and-goal from the 2, freshman QB Julian Lewis dropped back and was sacked for a 3-yard loss.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 23 Nov. 2025
Out of a timeout on third down and with 35 seconds left, Ramler dropped back but was pressured by Braden Hemquist.
—Mike Cook, Twin Cities, 23 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for drop back
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Diana Olick, CNBC, 26 Nov. 2025
The United States has very clearly dropped back.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 26 Nov. 2025
On third-and-goal from the 2, freshman QB Julian Lewis dropped back and was sacked for a 3-yard loss.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 23 Nov. 2025
Out of a timeout on third down and with 35 seconds left, Ramler dropped back but was pressured by Braden Hemquist.
—Mike Cook, Twin Cities, 23 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for drop back
Cite this Entry
“Drop back.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/drop%20back. Accessed 29 Nov. 2025.
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