drop-off

American  

[drop-awf, -of] / ˈdrɒpˌɔf, -ˌɒf /

noun

1. a vertical or very steep descent.

   The trail has a drop-off of several hundred feet.

2. a decline; decrease.

   Sales have shown a considerable drop-off this year.

3. a place where a person or thing can be left, received, accommodated, etc..

   a new drop-off for outpatients.

---

adjective

1. applied when a rented vehicle is left elsewhere than at the point of hire.

   to pay a drop-off charge.

drop off British  

verb

1. (intr) to grow smaller or less; decline

2. (tr) to allow to alight; set down

3. informal (intr) to fall asleep

---

noun

1. a steep or vertical descent

2. a sharp decrease

drop off Idioms  

1. Fall asleep, as in When I looked at Grandma, she had dropped off . [Early 1800s]

2. Decrease; also, become less frequent. For example, Sales have dropped off markedly , or Over the year her visits dropped off . [Early 1800s]

3. Deliver, unload, as in Bill dropped off the package at the office .

4. Die, as in He is so ill he could drop off any time . [Early 1800s]

---

Etymology

Origin of drop-off

First recorded in 1955–60; noun, adj. use of verb phrase drop off

Example Sentences

The one warning sign was a potential drop-off in consumer spending in the fourth quarter.

From MarketWatch

Construction activity fell by 2.1% over the final quarter of 2025, with a fall in repair and maintenance work, as well as a drop-off in the amount of new construction work being started.

From BBC

Several consumer categories - many of which are exposed to tariffs - saw a drop-off in spending at the end of 2025.

From BBC

She runs two drop-off sessions a week, where children who are being home-schooled can play and learn with each other.

From BBC

One local concrete company filed for bankruptcy protection, citing a drop-off in sales because of immigration raids as the reason.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• diminish
• dwindle
• fall away
• fall off
• lessen
• sag
• slacken