Introduction

You might already know one meaning of ‘drop’ – to let something fall. But do you know these four other meanings? Get to know the word ‘drop’ with Phil!

4 meanings of ‘drop’

small amount of something, usually liquid
A drop is a very small, round bead of liquid, such as a raindrop.

  • I planted all these seeds, but we haven’t had a drop of rain.
  • I only put a drop of chilli oil into your ramen – it shouldn’t be too hot!

stop doing/stop including
If you drop someone or something, you no longer do that activity or include that person.

  • I’m going to drop playing rugby – I keep getting injured.
  • Charlie’s stopped practising her clarinet and I’m worried she will be dropped from wind orchestra.

take to a place, usually by driving
If you drop somebody somewhere, you take them to that place, usually by driving, and leave them there. You can also use the phrasal verb ‘drop off’.

  • Jump in! I can drop you at the station.
  • Will you drop me off at the shops please?

become available
When a song, series or other media is published, you can say it has dropped. This is a more modern, informal use of ‘drop’.

  • Make sure you catch my new song. It drops this Friday.
  • Ten more episodes of my favourite series have just dropped online.

TRANSCRIPT

Note: This is not a word-for-word transcript.

Phil
What do you know about the word ‘drop’? I’m sure you know this meaning… but what about these? ‘Drop’ can mean a very small amount of something, especially something liquid, like water.
 
Example
I planted all these seeds, but we haven’t had a drop of rain.
 
Phil
If you drop an activity or a project, you stop doing it. If you drop someone, you stop including them in a group or team.
 
Example
I’m going to drop playing rugby – I keep getting injured.
 
Phil
You can also drop someone somewhere, and that means that you take them there, usually in a car.
 
Example
Jump in! I can drop you at the station.
 
Phil
This one’s quite informal, but if something like a song, a film or a series drops, then it becomes available.
 
Example
Make sure you catch my new song. It drops this Friday.
 
Phil
I just dropped four meanings of ‘drop’ for you. Learn them today.