drop away
B2 neutral inseparable intransitive
In simple words
Get smaller, quieter, or weaker, or go steeply downward from a high point.
Literal meaning: To fall or move away from a position.
Meanings
1 B2 neutral
Of land or terrain, to slope sharply downward.
"Beyond the treeline, the ground drops away suddenly into a steep ravine."
Grammar: inseparable
2 B2
idiomatic
neutral
To decrease in size, amount, or intensity.
"Public support for the policy has dropped away since the scandal broke."
Grammar: inseparable
3 B2
idiomatic
neutral
Of people, to gradually stop being involved in or attending something.
"The crowd had dropped away by the final set, leaving only the most dedicated fans."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Used to describe terrain that slopes steeply, or figuratively for support, sound, or interest that fades. Also describes people who gradually stop participating in something.
Commonly used with
cliff ground support interest numbers sound crowd
Forms
Base
drop away
I/you/we/they
3rd person
drops away
he/she/it
Past simple
droped away
yesterday
Past participle
droped away
have + pp
-ing form
droping away
continuous
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Synonyms
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