drop-off

[drop-awf, -of]

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

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of drop-off¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

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

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

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

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

Example Sentences

A church is also acting as a drop-off point for donations including clothes and local businesses have been providing hot food.

Read more on BBC

This shortage of number nines is not down to a sudden drop-off in numbers.

Read more on BBC

The new San José service will include curbside pickup and drop-off at San José Mineta International Airport.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Luxury-room prices have defied a drop-off in foreign tourists to the U.S. and a job slump among white-collar workers.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Arista was named a Barron’s stock pick in the summer, a few months after a steep drop-off in the share price created a buying opportunity.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

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