Phrasal verb
drop in
Definition
phrasal verb. To visit someone for a short time without making a plan or appointment first.
phrasal verb. To pay a brief, informal visit, typically without prior arrangement. The verb is often used intransitively or followed by 'on' for people and 'at' for locations.
Examples
“Please drop in whenever you are in the neighborhood.”
“We were just passing through the village, so we decided to drop in and see how they were doing.”
“While the CEO rarely schedules formal inspections, she frequently drops in to observe the factory floor operations firsthand and engage with the staff.”
Examples
simple
“Please drop in whenever you are in the neighborhood.”
contextual
“We were just passing through the village, so we decided to drop in and see how they were doing.”
complex
“While the CEO rarely schedules formal inspections, she frequently drops in to observe the factory floor operations firsthand and engage with the staff.”
Usage
Often used with 'on' when mentioning the person you are visiting.
Teaching tip
Contrast with 'visit' (more formal/planned) and 'stop by' (very similar, often interchangeable in American English).
Pitfall
I dropped in my friend yesterday.
I dropped in on my friend yesterday.
When followed by a person, the preposition 'on' is required.
Phrasal verb
Particles
in
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
drop + in
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/drop-in