drop back

verb

dropped back; dropping back; drops back

intransitive verb

1
2
: to move straight back from the line of scrimmage
the quarterback drops back to pass

Examples of drop back in a Sentence

a change in the wind direction forced the firefighters to drop back
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Since that overthrow to Marvin Mims Jr., Nix has dropped back 52 times on third down without a turnover. Parker Gabriel, The Denver Post, 15 Nov. 2024 By Tuesday morning, however, Bitcoin had dropped back to around $86,000. Vinamrata Chaturvedi, Quartz, 12 Nov. 2024 The pass-happy approach seemed destined to doom the Trojans until midway through the third quarter, when Moss dropped back on fourth and nine, in desperate need of a spark. Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2024 Two minutes before halftime, Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love dropped back into his end zone and was shoved with two hands — but not sacked for a safety — by a chasing Rams defender. Andrew Greif, NBC News, 7 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for drop back 

Word History

First Known Use

1927, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of drop back was in 1927

Dictionary Entries Near drop back

Cite this Entry

“Drop back.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/drop%20back. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on drop back

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!