drop out

To leave a course, school, competition, or activity before finishing it.

• Two runners dropped out.
• He dropped out of college to start a business.
• Why did you drop out of the course?

How to use it: drop out of something (She dropped out of the course after two weeks.)

Similar words: quit, withdraw

Common phrases: drop out of school, drop out of college

To stop working or disappear for a short time, especially a sound or connection.

• The sound keeps dropping out.
• Our internet connection dropped out during the meeting.
• Does your phone signal drop out here too?

Similar words: cut out, fail

Common phrases: drop out briefly, drop out repeatedly

To fall from inside something to the outside.

• A coin dropped out.
• Several buttons dropped out of the open box.
• Something dropped out of your bag as you stood up.

How to use it: drop out of something (A coin dropped out of his pocket.)

Similar words: fall out

Common phrases: drop out of something, drop out accidentally

To leave the usual way of living and choose a different kind of life.

• He decided to drop out.
• They dropped out of society to live in a forest.
• She dropped out and joined a small farming community.

How to use it: drop out of society (They dropped out of society and moved to a remote valley.)

Similar words: opt out

Common phrases: drop out of society, drop out completely

To fall away or break when someone or something is resting on it.

• The board suddenly dropped out.
• A rotten plank dropped out as he stepped on it.
• The floor dropped out under the heavy machine.

How to use it: drop out under someone/something (The rotten plank dropped out under my feet.)

Similar words: give way, collapse

Common phrases: drop out underneath someone, drop out suddenly

To move away from beneath someone so that they slip or fall.

• The ground dropped out beneath him.
• The platform dropped out from under her, sending her into the water.
• When the trapdoor dropped out beneath me, I fell.

How to use it: drop out from under someone (The ground dropped out from under her, and she fell.)

Common phrases: drop out beneath someone, drop out from underneath