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

An underwhelming and nearly green-less teaser first dropped back in March to the enormous groans of Green Lantern faithful everywhere. — Jeff Spry, Space.com, 16 Aug. 2026

The loss snapped Miami’s seven-game unbeaten streak in league play and was the team’s third loss in a row after dropping back-to-back games in the Leagues Cup tournament. — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 16 Aug. 2026

Patrick Mahomes took a snap Monday and dropped back before looking left. — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 11 Aug. 2026

When a massive storm complex like today moves through, large amounts of air rise off of the Earth's surface in advance of the storm, then drop back to the ground in and behind the storm. — Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1927, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for drop back

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