Definition

Verb (intransitive): 1. To fall, descend, or move to a lower place, level, or position, often suddenly or quickly. 2. To appear or become visible by moving downward, typically referring to a list or menu in computing.

Usage

The verb "drop down" describes a downward movement. It is often used for a person or object moving to a lower physical level. In computing, it specifically describes the action of a list or menu appearing on a screen.

Examples

• Physical Descent:

  • The ripe apple dropped down from the tree.
  • He was so tired he just dropped down onto the sofa.
  • The cat dropped down from the wall into the garden.

• Computing Context:

  • Click the arrow to make the options menu drop down.
  • A list of available fonts will drop down when you select the text.

Advanced Usage

• "to drop down to [a level/position]": To decrease or fall to a specific lower state.
  • Temperatures are expected to drop down to freezing tonight.
  • After the injury, he dropped down to the third team.

Variants and Related Words

• Drop-down (adjective): Describes a type of list or menu in computing that appears when activated.
  • Select your country from the drop-down list.
• Dropdown (noun): A common shortened form for a drop-down list or menu.
  • The settings are in the dropdown.

Synonyms

• Fall
• Descend
• Sink
• Lower

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Drop down to: To visit or go to a place casually or briefly.
  • Why don't you drop down to the café later?
• Drop down on: To visit someone unexpectedly.
  • They dropped down on us for a surprise visit.

Related Idioms

• A drop in the ocean/bucket: A very small, almost insignificant amount compared to what is needed.
  • Our donation was just a drop in the ocean compared to the total required. (Note: This idiom uses "drop" as a noun, not the phrasal verb "drop down").

Verb

1. fall or descend to a lower place or level
   • He sank to his knees