drop behind

general competition

The phrase "drop behind" is commonly used to describe situations where someone falls back in position, progress, or performance relative to others.

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Definition

B2General

(informal)To fall back or lag behind others in progress or performance.

Example

If you don't study regularly, you might drop behind in your coursework.

B2Competition

(informal)To lose ground or fall back from a leading position in a race or contest.

Example

She was leading the race initially but dropped behind in the final lap.

C1Military

(technical, strategic)To intentionally fall back to a position behind others for tactical purposes.

Example

The scouts would drop behind to relay messages to the main unit.

Similar

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "drop behind":

drop back drop in drop into drop down drop off drop light drop science live drop drop out dropping in drop someone in it false drop fall to drop letter needle drop long drop fall in fall behind fall off fall down fall back fall due drop trou go down fall through drop the ball drop shot pull down get the drop on fall down on come down drop dead duck down drop the bomb drag down fall into fall to the ground dead drop fall on drop target take a dive get down fall away fall out throw down let down move down fall together drop tower back down come down to hang behind fruit drop plop down fall off one's perch jump off step down draw down send down turkey drop run down call down hang off drop a dime bring down pass out fall over drop kick take a tumble go under fall upon get down on slip in turkey dropping doc drop bring down on fall up drop dimes come down on doss down drop crotch go down with duck out lower the boom drop anchor roll off slip off ball down drop a bombshell put down take the fall climb down jump in crap out dropped egg cast down keep down flunk out trail behind drag in jump out lay low knock down slide off take down a notch go to ground flake out bomb out ride down fall in line wait for the other shoe to drop drift off turn down