drop one's serve

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Definition

Verb phrase: To lose a game in a tennis match (or similar racket sport) during which one is the player serving the ball.

Usage

This phrase is used specifically in the context of tennis, badminton, squash, or similar games. It describes the moment a player fails to win a game for which they started with the serve. It is a precise term from sports commentary and analysis.

Examples
  • In the crucial third set, the champion dropped her serve in the ninth game, giving her opponent a chance to win the match.
  • He played a strong match but dropped his serve twice in the first set, which ultimately cost him.
  • To win, you must protect your serve and take opportunities to break; you cannot afford to drop your serve so easily.
Advanced Usage
  • The phrase often appears in the passive construction "a serve was dropped" in match summaries.
    • The only break of serve came at 4-3 when Federer's serve was dropped after a long rally.
  • It is frequently used with adverbs to describe the manner or context of the loss.
    • She dropped her serve unexpectedly to love in the opening game.
    • He dropped his serve twice in a row, losing his momentum completely.
Variants and Related Words
  • To be broken (or to suffer a service break): A more common synonym in tennis commentary. "Drop one's serve" is essentially the active form of "to have one's serve broken."
  • To hold serve: The direct opposite, meaning to win a game in which one is serving.
  • Service game: The game in which a particular player is serving. "Dropping one's serve" means losing one's own service game.
  • Break of serve (noun): The event of winning a game against the server. When a player drops their serve, they concede a break of serve to their opponent.
Synonyms
  • To lose one's service game: A more literal paraphrase.
  • To be broken (on serve): The standard passive counterpart in tennis terminology.
Related Phrases
  • To save a break point: To win a point when facing a point that would cause you to drop your serve if lost.
  • To face a break point: To be in a situation where losing the next point will cause you to drop your serve.
Verb
  1. lose a game in which one is serving