English Reference

Phrasal verb

drop off

Irregular verb

Forms

Infinitive

drop off

Past

dropped off

Past participle

dropped off

Definition

phrasal verb. to take someone or something to a place and leave them there. You use this when you drive a friend home or deliver a package.

phrasal verb. to transport and leave a person or object at a specific destination. The verb is transitive and allows for object placement between the base and the particle.

Examples

“I will drop off the dry cleaning on my way to work.”

“Could you drop me off at the train station so I don't have to pay for parking?”

“The courier was instructed to drop off the confidential documents at the reception desk before the end of the business day.”

Examples

simple

“I will drop off the dry cleaning on my way to work.”

contextual

“Could you drop me off at the train station so I don't have to pay for parking?”

complex

“The courier was instructed to drop off the confidential documents at the reception desk before the end of the business day.”

Usage

This verb is separable, so you can put the object in the middle or at the end.

Teaching tip

Teach this alongside 'pick up' as a functional pair for errands and transportation contexts.

Pitfall

I dropped off him at the airport.

I dropped him off at the airport.

If the object is a pronoun like 'him' or 'it', it must be placed between 'drop' and 'off'.

Phrasal verb

Particles

off

Separability

optional

Pattern

drop + off + object

Synonyms

deliverleavedepositset down

Antonyms

pick upcollect

Word family

VERB

NOUN

PHRASAL VERB

drop off(B1)

Grammar

Phrasal verbs (introduction)

Domain

Internet

This entry

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
Frequency
Very common
Level
B1 · Intermediate
Updated

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English Reference