drop by

VERB

[/drɑːp baɪ/]

to visit someone casually and without advance notice

💡 Concept

She decided to drop by her grandma's house on the way home.

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/drɑːp baɪ/

🇬🇧 UK/drɒp baɪ/

🌳Etymology

Rootdrop

Suffix-by

Origin

The phrasal verb 'drop by' derives from Old English 'dropan' (to fall or let fall), which originally meant to cause something to fall. The preposition 'by' (meaning near or beside) was combined with 'drop' in its extended sense of placing something lightly. The phrase developed from meaning 'to pass by lightly' to its modern sense of 'to visit briefly' by the 19th century.

Breakdown

drop (Old English dropan: to fall or release) + by (Old English bi: near, beside). The combination evolved from literal movement past a location to the metaphorical act of making a short, casual visit.

🎵Rhyme

stop byshop bychop pie

stop by

shop by

chop pie

🔗Collocations

drop by the store

drop by unexpectedly

drop by for a visit

drop by anytime

drop by the office

drop by later

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“My mother-in-law loves to drop by right when I'm eating ice cream for breakfast.”

“Can you drop by the pharmacy and pick up my prescription?”

😄 Fun example

“I decided to drop by my ex's wedding uninvited - worst decision ever.”

“Feel free to drop by whenever you're in the neighborhood.”

📚Related Words

Synonyms

visitstop bycall onpop inswing by

Antonyms

avoidstay awaybypass

drop offdrop income overvisitcall

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drop by — to visit someone casually and without advance notice

Example Sentences