The Village Idiom

drop out

The idiom "drop out" means to leave a group or quit a situation, often referring to withdrawing from school or abandoning a course of action.

Filed under D

In a sentence

  • She decided to drop out of college and pursue a career in music.
  • After struggling with his grades, he made the difficult decision to drop out of high school.
  • The company's profits are dropping out due to increased competition.

Where it comes from and how it is used

The idiom "drop off" is closely related to the phrase "drop out." "Drop off" refers to the act of leaving someone or something at a specific location. It can be used to describe dropping off a package at a post office or dropping off a friend at their house. In the context of education, "drop off" can be used to describe a student who leaves a school or program before completing it, similar to the concept of "dropping out."

Know an earlier use or a better origin story?Tell us.