ENGLISH
REFERENCE

drop around

phr. v..
B1 Intermediate Oxford

phr. v.. to visit someone's home for a short time, usually without making a formal plan first.

phr. v.. to pay an informal, often spontaneous visit to a person's residence; typically used as an intransitive verb or with a prepositional phrase.


SIMPLE

I might drop around later to see how you are.

CONTEXTUAL

If you are free this evening, why don't you drop around for a quick cup of coffee?

COMPLEX

While we were busy unpacking the last of the boxes, our new neighbors decided to drop around and introduce themselves with a plate of cookies.

Particles
around
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
drop + around
Usage

highly informal and implies a brief, casual visit rather than a long stay.

Teaching tip

contrast with 'drop off' (to leave something) or 'drop by' (a near-synonym); 'around' often suggests a more relaxed or local context than 'by'.

Pitfall

I will drop around the office tomorrow.I will drop by the office tomorrow.'drop around' usually implies a social visit to a home, whereas 'drop by' is better for professional or quick stops.

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