dropping off

Meanings

1. 1phrasephrasal verbinformal

   Falling asleep, especially without intending to or gradually.

   Grammar: Used as the -ing form of the intransitive phrasal verb 'drop off'; it does not take an object in this sense.

   Patterns

   • be dropping off
   • keep dropping off

   I kept dropping off during the meeting because I hadn't slept well.

   The baby was dropping off in her stroller as we walked through the park.

   He was so tired that he started dropping off in front of the TV.

2. 2phrasephrasal verb

   Taking someone or something to a place and leaving them there.

   Grammar: Transitive: you drop someone or something off, or drop off someone or something. The object usually comes after 'off' or between 'drop' and 'off'.

   Patterns

   • drop someone off
   • drop something off
   • drop off someone/something

   I'm dropping off the kids at school before I go to work.

   Could you drop off this package at the post office on your way?

   She's dropping off her friend at the airport this afternoon.

3. 3phrasephrasal verb

   Becoming less in amount, level, or number.

   Grammar: Intransitive; often used with words like 'sales', 'numbers', 'attendance' as the subject.

   Patterns

   • sales are dropping off
   • numbers are dropping off

   Sales have been dropping off since the summer ended.

   Attendance at the club is dropping off because of the bad weather.

Common combinations

dropping off to sleep

She was dropping off to sleep on the sofa when the phone rang.

dropping off the kids

He's dropping off the kids at their grandmother's house.

dropping off a package

I'm dropping off a package at the courier office.

sales dropping off

Sales are dropping off sharply this quarter.

Synonyms and how they differ

falling asleep

More neutral and formal than 'dropping off'; it doesn't suggest a gradual or unintended process.

delivering

More formal and general; it can mean bringing something to a place, but not necessarily leaving it there briefly.

declining

More formal and often used for trends; it fits better in business or academic writing.

Opposites

Word family

drop off phrasal verb

The base form; has the same three main meanings.

drop-off noun

A place where you can leave someone or something, or a decrease.

dropped off phrasal verb

Past tense and past participle of 'drop off'.

Commonly confused: dropping off or drop out?

Practice

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