Throw vs. Drop — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on March 28, 2024
Throw involves propelling an object with force through the air using the arms or hands, while drop means letting something fall by releasing it from the grasp, often accidentally or without force.
Difference Between Throw and Drop
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Throwing is an intentional action where an object is propelled through the air using the arms or hands, often aiming at a specific target or distance. This action requires some level of skill and force to achieve the desired outcome. On the other hand, dropping is usually unintentional or passive, resulting from a loss of grip or failure to hold onto something, leading to the object falling directly downwards due to gravity.
While throwing can be associated with various activities such as sports (baseball pitching, basketball throwing), recreational activities (throwing a frisbee), and even aggressive actions (throwing a punch or an object in anger), dropping is often associated with accidents, carelessness (dropping a glass), or the deliberate release of items without aiming (dropping a letter into a mailbox).
The act of throwing is often deliberate, with the intention to reach, hit, or pass something to a specific target, emphasizing accuracy, speed, and sometimes the trajectory. Whereas dropping something is rarely a deliberate act aimed at achieving a specific outcome other than letting the object fall freely from the hand.
In sports and games, throwing techniques are critical for performance and are practiced to improve distance, accuracy, and control. These techniques vary greatly depending on the sport or activity, such as the overhand throw in baseball or the underhand toss in bowling. Drop, in this context, is not a technique but rather an error or mishap, such as dropping the ball, which usually results in a penalty or loss of advantage.
Throwing requires a coordination of muscles, timing, and technique to execute effectively, involving the entire body to generate the necessary force and direction. Drop, on the contrary, can occur with minimal to no bodily movement, often as a result of momentary inattention, weakness, or surprise, requiring no skill or bodily coordination.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Propelling an object through air with force.
Letting something fall by releasing grip.
Intentionality
Often intentional.
Usually unintentional.
Action Required
Active, requires force and direction.
Passive, requires release of hold.
Skill and Technique
Involves skill and practice.
Does not require skill.
Associated Contexts
Sports, games, aggression.
Accidents, carelessness, deliberate release.
Compare with Definitions
Throw
Propelling something through the air using the arms or hands.
He decided to throw the ball as far as he could.
Drop
To let something fall unintentionally.
He dropped his keys in the parking lot.
Throw
To send something to a target with force.
She threw the dart precisely at the bullseye.
Drop
To release something from one's grasp.
She dropped the letter into the mailbox.
Throw
A term used in games and sports to indicate a specific action.
His throw from the outfield was spot on.
Drop
A decrease in a quantity or level.
There was a significant drop in temperature overnight.
Throw
To cause to move through the air by releasing it from the hand.
He threw the paper airplane, watching it glide.
Drop
The act of letting go of something.
With a sigh, he dropped the heavy bags at the doorstep.
Throw
An act of aggression or defense by propelling something.
In frustration, she threw a book across the room.
Drop
An instance of something falling.
The drop of the apple from the tree was sudden.
Throw
To propel through the air with a motion of the hand or arm.
Drop
Let or make (something) fall vertically
The fire was caused by someone dropping a lighted cigarette
They dropped bombs on Caen during the raid
Throw
To propel or discharge into the air by any means
A machine that throws tennis balls.
Ash that was thrown by an erupting volcano.
Drop
Fall vertically
The spoon dropped with a clatter from her hand
Throw
To cause to move with great force or speed; propel or displace
Threw themselves on the food.
Jetsam that had been thrown up onto the shore.
Drop
Make or become lower, weaker, or less
Pre-tax profits dropped by 37 per cent
Tourism has dropped off in the last few years
He dropped his voice as she came into the room
Throw
To force (an opponent) to the ground or floor, as in wrestling or the martial arts.
Drop
Abandon or discontinue (a course of action or study)
The charges against him were dropped last year
Throw
To cause to fall off
The horse threw its rider.
Drop
Set down or unload (a passenger or goods), especially on the way to somewhere else
His mum dropped him outside and drove off to work
He dropped the load off at a dealer's
Throw
(Informal) To cause confusion or perplexity in; disconcert or nonplus
We didn't let our worries throw us.
Drop
(in sport) fail to win (a point or a match)
The club have yet to drop a point in the Second Division
Throw
To put on or off hastily or carelessly
Throw on a jacket.
Drop
Force or be forced to play (a relatively high card) as a loser under an opponent's higher card, because it is the only card in its suit held in the hand
East drops the 10 on the second round
Throw
To put suddenly or forcefully into a given condition, position, or activity
Threw him into a fit of laughter.
Threw some supper together.
Threw her leg over the arm of the chair.
Drop
A small round or pear-shaped portion of liquid that hangs or falls or adheres to a surface
The first drops of rain splashed on the ground
Throw
To devote, apply, or direct
Threw all their resources into the new endeavor.
Threw the blame onto the others.
Drop
An instance of falling or dropping
They left within five minutes of the drop of the curtain
Throw
To form on a potter's wheel
Throw a vase.
Drop
A delivery
I got to the depot and made the drop
Throw
To twist (fibers) into thread.
Drop
A small, round sweet or lozenge
A chocolate drop
Throw
To roll (dice).
Drop
An earring that hangs down from the earlobe
Simple amethyst and diamond drops
Throw
To roll (a particular combination) with dice.
Drop
A section of theatrical scenery lowered from the flies; a drop cloth or drop curtain.
Throw
To discard or play (a card).
Drop
A trapdoor on a gallows, the opening of which causes the prisoner to fall and thus be hanged
Warders, standing on planks, invariably flanked the prisoners on the drop
Throw
To send forth; project
She threw me a look of encouragement.
Drop
A small amount of a liquid, drawn into a roughly spherical mass by surface tension.
Throw
To cause (one's voice) to seem to come from a source other than oneself.
Drop
The quantity of liquid contained in such a mass, especially when measured out by a dropper.
Throw
To cause to fall on or over something; cast
The rising sun threw shadows across the lawn. We threw sheets over the furniture before we painted the ceiling.
Drop
Drops Liquid medicine administered in drops.
Throw
To bear (young). Used of cows or horses, for example.
Drop
A small quantity of a liquid
There isn't a drop of milk left.
Throw
To arrange or give (a party, for example).
Drop
(Informal) An alcoholic drink
A man known to have a drop now and then.
Throw
To move (a lever or switch) in order to activate, deactivate, or control a device.
Drop
A trace or hint
Not a drop of pity.
Throw
(Informal) To lose or give up (a contest, for example) purposely.
Drop
Something, such as an earring, shaped or hanging like a drop.
Throw
To abandon oneself to; have
Heard the news and threw a fit.
Drop
A small globular piece of hard candy.
Throw
To commit (oneself), especially for leniency or support
Threw himself on the mercy of the court.
Drop
The act of falling; descent
The drop of the curtain.
The sun's drop toward the horizon.
Throw
To deliver (a punch), as in boxing
Threw a left hook.
Drop
A swift decline or decrease, as in quality, quantity, or intensity
A drop in sales.
Throw
To cast, fling, or hurl something.
Drop
The vertical distance from a higher to a lower level
The cliff has a drop of 50 feet.
Throw
The act or an instance of throwing.
Drop
The distance through which something falls or drops.
Throw
The distance to which something is or can be thrown
A stone's throw away.
Drop
A sheer incline, such as the face of a cliff
Stay clear of the drop.
Throw
A roll or cast of dice.
Drop
A descent or delivery of something by parachute
Made a drop of supplies to the explorers.
Throw
The combination of numbers so obtained.
Drop
Personnel and equipment landed by means of parachute.
Throw
(Informal) A single chance, venture, or instance
"could afford up to forty-five bucks a throw to wax sentimental over their heritage" (John Simon).
Drop
Something, such as a trapdoor on a gallows, that is arranged to fall or be lowered.
Throw
(Sports) The act of throwing or a technique used to throw an opponent in wrestling or the martial arts.
Drop
A drop curtain.
Throw
A light blanket or coverlet, such as an afghan.
Drop
A slot through which something is deposited in a receptacle.
Throw
A scarf or shawl.
Drop
A central place or establishment where something, such as mail, is brought and subsequently distributed.
Throw
The radius of a circle described by a crank, cam, or similar machine part.
Drop
A predetermined location for the deposit and subsequent removal of secret communications or illicit goods, such as drugs.
Throw
The maximum displacement of a machine part moved by another part, such as a crank or cam.
Drop
The act of depositing such communications or materials.
Throw
(Geology) The amount of vertical displacement of a fault.
Drop
(Electronics) A connection made available for an input or output unit on a transmission line.
Throw
(transitive) To hurl; to cause an object to move rapidly through the air.
Throw a shoe; throw a javelin; the horse threw its rider
Drop
To fall in drops
Rain dropping from an umbrella.
Throw
(transitive) To eject or cause to fall off.
Drop
To fall from a higher to a lower place or position
The plate dropped onto the floor.
Throw
(transitive) To move to another position or condition; to displace.
Throw the switch
Drop
To become less, as in number, intensity, or volume
The temperature dropped below 0.
Throw
(ceramics) To make (a pot) by shaping clay as it turns on a wheel.
Drop
To move or descend from one height or level to another
He dropped into a crouch. The sun dropped below the horizon.
Throw
To deliver (the ball) illegally by straightening the bowling arm during delivery.
Drop
To pass or slip into a specified state or condition
Dropped into a doze.
Drop out of sight.
Throw
To send (an error) to an exception-handling mechanism in order to interrupt normal processing.
If the file is read-only, the method throws an invalid-operation exception.
Drop
(Sports) To fall or roll into a basket or hole. Used of a ball.
Throw
To intentionally lose a game.
The tennis player was accused of taking bribes to throw the match.
Drop
To let fall by releasing hold of
I dropped the towel onto the floor.
Throw
To confuse or mislead.
The deliberate red herring threw me at first.
Drop
To let fall in drops
Drop the medicine into the ear.
Throw
(figuratively) To send desperately.
Their sergeant threw the troops into pitched battle.
Drop
To cause to become less; reduce
Drop the rate of production.
Throw
(transitive) To imprison.
The magistrate ordered the suspect to be thrown into jail.
Drop
To cause to fall, as by hitting or shooting
Dropped him with a left hook.
Throw
To organize an event, especially a party.
Drop
(Sports) To hurl or strike (a ball) into a basket or hole.
Throw
(ambitransitive) To roll (a die or dice).
Drop
To give birth to. Used of animals.
Throw
(transitive) To cause a certain number on the die or dice to be shown after rolling it.
Drop
To say or offer casually
Drop a hint.
Drop a name.
Throw
To discard.
Drop
To write at one's leisure
Drop me a note.
Throw
(martial arts) To lift the opponent off the ground and bring him back down, especially into a position behind the thrower.
Drop
To cease consideration or treatment of
Dropped the matter altogether.
Throw
To change in order to give the illusion that the voice is that of someone else.
Drop
To terminate an association or a relationship with
An actor who was dropped by the talent agency.
Throw
(transitive) To show sudden emotion, especially anger.
Drop
To leave unfinished
Drop everything and help.
Throw
(transitive) To project or send forth.
Drop
To leave out (a letter, for example) in speaking or writing.
Throw
To put on hastily; to spread carelessly. I don't see, that "spreading" could be any meaning of "putting on". Was it meant to be a second meaning?
Drop
To leave or set down at a particular place; unload
I dropped the book in your office.
Throw
To twist two or more filaments of (silk, etc.) so as to form one thread; to twist together, as singles, in a direction contrary to the twist of the singles themselves; sometimes applied to the whole class of operations by which silk is prepared for the weaver.
Drop
(Informal) To spend, especially lavishly or rashly
"dropping $50,000 in an Atlantic City casino" (George F. Will).
Throw
To select (a pitcher); to assign a pitcher to a given role (such as starter or reliever).
Drop
To airdrop (supplies, for example).
Throw
(transitive) To install (a bridge).
Drop
To lower the level of (the voice).
Throw
To twist or turn.
A thrown nail
Drop
To lose (a game or contest, for example).
Throw
(American football) pass
Drop
(Slang) To take, as a drug, by mouth
Drop acid.
Throw
To deliver.
Drop
A small quantity of liquid, just large enough to hold its own round shape through surface tension, especially one that falls from a source of liquid.
Put three drops of oil into the mixture.
Throw
Of animals: to give birth to (young).
Drop
(pharmacology) A dose of liquid medicine in the form of a drop (sense 1).
Throw
Obsolete spelling of throe
Drop
A liquid medicine that is intended to be administered in drops (sense 1).
Ear drops
Eye drops
Throw
The flight of a thrown object.
What a great throw by the quarterback!
Drop
(figuratively) A very small quantity of liquid, or (by extension) of anything.
My aunt asked for just a drop more tea.
He was thirsty but there wasn’t a drop of water to be found
They didn’t show a drop of remorse
Throw
The act of throwing something.
With an accurate throw, he lassoed the cow.
The gambler staked everything on one throw of the dice.
Drop
A small amount of an alcoholic beverage.
He usually enjoys a drop after dinner.
She won’t touch a drop while she’s on duty.
Throw
One's ability to throw.
He's got a girl's throw.
He's always had a pretty decent throw.
Drop
Usually preceded by the: alcoholic spirits in general.
It doesn’t matter where you’re from, anyone who enjoys the drop is a friend of mine.
Throw
A distance travelled; displacement.
The throw of the piston
Drop
A single measure of whisky.
Throw
A piece of fabric used to cover a bed, sofa or other soft furnishing.
Drop
That which hangs or resembles a liquid globule, such as a hanging diamond earring or ornament, a glass pendant on a chandelier, etc.
Throw
A single instance, occurrence, venture, or chance.
Football tickets are expensive at fifty bucks a throw.
Drop
Often preceded by a defining word: a small, round piece of hard candy, such as a lemon drop; a lozenge.
Throw
(veterinary medicine) The act of giving birth in animals, especially in cows.
Drop
(architecture) An ornament resembling a pendant; a gutta.
Throw
(obsolete) A moment, time, occasion.
Drop
A thing which drops or hangs down.
Throw
(obsolete) A period of time; a while.
Drop
The cover mounted on a swivel over a keyhole that rests over the keyhole when not in use to keep out debris, but is swiveled out of the way before inserting the key.
Throw
Obsolete spelling of throe
Drop
(agriculture) A fruit which has fallen off a tree, etc., or has been knocked off accidentally, rather than picked.
Throw
Pain; especially, pain of travail; throe.
Drop
(American football) A dropped pass.
Yet another drop for the Tiger tight end.
Throw
Time; while; space of time; moment; trice.
I will with Thomas speak a little throw.
Drop
(law enforcement) A platform]] on a gallows; a gallows itself.
Throw
The act of hurling or flinging; a driving or propelling from the hand or an engine; a cast.
He heaved a stone, and, rising to the throw,He sent it in a whirlwind at the foe.
Drop
An item made available for the player to pick up from the remains of a defeated enemy.
Throw
A stroke; a blow.
Nor shield defend the thunder of his throws.
Drop
(technology)
Throw
The distance which a missile is, or may be, thrown; as, a stone's throw.
Drop
(theater) A curtain which falls in front of a theatrical stage; also, a section of (cloth) scenery lowered on to the stage like a curtain.
Throw
A cast of dice; the manner in which dice fall when cast; as, a good throw.
Drop
An act or instance of dropping (in all senses).
Throw
An effort; a violent sally.
Your youth admiresThe throws and swellings of a Roman soul.
Drop
An act of moving downwards under the force of gravity; a descent, a fall.
That was a long drop, but fortunately I didn’t break any bones.
Throw
The extreme movement given to a sliding or vibrating reciprocating piece by a cam, crank, eccentric, or the like; travel; stroke; as, the throw of a slide valve. Also, frequently, the length of the radius of a crank, or the eccentricity of an eccentric; as, the throw of the crank of a steam engine is equal to half the stroke of the piston.
Drop
An instance of making a delivery of people, supplies, or things, especially by parachute out of an aircraft (an airdrop), but also by truck, etc.
The delivery driver has to make three more drops before lunch.
The spy made the drop, leaving the plans under the tree as arranged.
Throw
A potter's wheel or table; a jigger. See 2d Jigger, 2 (a).
Drop
A release (of music, a video game, etc).
Throw
A turner's lathe; a throwe.
Drop
(gambling) The amount of money that a gambler exchanges for chips in a casino.
Throw
The amount of vertical displacement produced by a fault; - according to the direction it is designated as an upthrow, or a downthrow.
Drop
Preceded by the: execution by hanging.
Throw
To fling, cast, or hurl with a certain whirling motion of the arm, to throw a ball; - distinguished from to toss, or to bowl.
Drop
(sports)
Throw
To fling or cast in any manner; to drive to a distance from the hand or from an engine; to propel; to send; as, to throw stones or dust with the hand; a cannon throws a ball; a fire engine throws a stream of water to extinguish flames.
Drop
An unsolicited credit card issue.
Throw
To drive by violence; as, a vessel or sailors may be thrown upon a rock.
Drop
A decline in degree, quality, quantity, or rate.
The drop in demand for oil resulted in a drop in prices.
Throw
To cause to take a strategic position; as, he threw a detachment of his army across the river.
Drop
(sewing)
Throw
To overturn; to prostrate in wrestling; as, a man throws his antagonist.
Drop
The distance through which something drops, or falls below a certain level.
Throw
To cast, as dice; to venture at dice.
Set less than thou throwest.
Drop
The distance below a cliff or other high position through which someone or something could fall; hence, a steep slope.
On one side of the road was a 50-foot drop.
Throw
To put on hastily; to spread carelessly.
O'er his fair limbs a flowery vest he threw.
Drop
The vertical length of a hanging curtain.
Throw
To divest or strip one's self of; to put off.
There the snake throws her enameled skin.
Drop
(engineering) The distance of the axis of a shaft below the base of a hanger.
Throw
To form or shape roughly on a throwing engine, or potter's wheel, as earthen vessels.
Drop
(law enforcement) The distance that a person drops when being executed by hanging.
Throw
To give forcible utterance to; to cast; to vent.
I have thrownA brave defiance in King Henry's teeth.
Drop
(nautical) The depth of a (square) sail (generally applied to the courses only); the vertical dimension of a sail.
Throw
To bring forth; to produce, as young; to bear; - said especially of rabbits.
Drop
A place where items or supplies may be left for others to collect, whether openly (as with a mail drop), or secretly or illegally (as in crime or espionage); a drop-off point.
I left the plans at the drop, like you asked.
Throw
To twist two or more filaments of, as silk, so as to form one thread; to twist together, as singles, in a direction contrary to the twist of the singles themselves; - sometimes applied to the whole class of operations by which silk is prepared for the weaver.
Drop
(informal) nodot=1 An advantage.
Throw
To perform the act of throwing or casting; to cast; specifically, to cast dice.
Drop
(music) A point in a song, usually electronic music such as dubstep, house, trace, or trap, where there is a very noticeable and pleasing change in bass, tempo, and/or overall tone; a climax, a highlight.
Throw
The act of throwing (propelling something through the air with a rapid movement of the arm and wrist);
The catcher made a good throw to second base
Drop
(intransitive) Of a liquid: to fall in drops or droplets.
Throw
A single chance or instance;
He couldn't afford $50 a throw
Drop
To fall (straight down) under the influence of gravity, like a drop of liquid.
A single shot was fired and the bird dropped from the sky.
Throw
The maximum movement available to a pivoted or reciprocating piece by a cam
Drop
(intransitive) To fall or sink quickly or suddenly to the ground.
Drop and give me thirty push-ups, private!
If your clothes are on fire, stop, drop and roll.
Throw
The distance that something can be thrown;
It is just a stone's throw from here
Drop
(intransitive) To fall into a particular condition or state.
Throw
Bedclothes consisting of a lightweight cloth covering (an afghan or bedspread) that is casually thrown over something
Drop
(intransitive) To come to an end (by not being kept up); to lapse, to stop.
Throw
The throwing of an object in order to determine an outcome randomly;
He risked his fortune on a throw of the dice
Drop
(intransitive) To decrease, diminish, or lessen in condition, degree, value, etc.
The stock dropped 1.5% yesterday.
We can take our vacation when the price of fuel drops.
Watch for the temperature to drop sharply, then you’ll know the reaction is complete.
Throw
Project through the air;
Throw a frisbee
Drop
(intransitive) Of a song or sound: to lower in key, pitch, tempo, or other quality.
My synthesizer makes the notes sound funny when they drop below C2.
The song, 180 beats per minute, drops to 150 BPM near the end.
Throw
Move violently, energetically, or carelessly;
She threw herself forwards
Drop
(intransitive) Of a voice: to lower in timbre, often due to puberty.
Billy’s voice dropped suddenly when he turned 12.
Throw
Get rid of;
He shed his image as a pushy boss
Shed your clothes
Drop
(intransitive) To fall behind or to the rear of a group of people, etc., as a result of not keeping up with those at the front.
Throw
Place or put with great energy;
She threw the blanket around the child
Thrust the money in the hands of the beggar
Drop
(intransitive) Usually followed by by, in, or into: of a person: to visit someone or somewhere informally or without a prior appointment.
Do drop by soon and I’ll lend you that book.
We’ll drop in on her tomorrow.
Throw
Convey or communicate; of a smile, a look, a physical gesture;
Throw a glance
She gave me a dirty look
Drop
Of a programme, software, a music album or song, etc.: to enter public distribution.
The album Hip-Hop Xmas dropped in time for the holidays.
Throw
Cause to go on or to be engaged or set in operation;
Switch on the light
Throw the lever
Drop
To drop out of the betting.
Throw
Put or send forth;
She threw the flashlight beam into the corner
The setting sun threw long shadows
Cast a spell
Cast a warm light
Drop
Of the testicles: to hang further away from the body and begin producing sperm due to puberty.
Throw
To put into a state or activity hastily, suddenly, or carelessly;
Jane threw dinner together
Throw the car into reverse
Drop
To let drops fall; to discharge itself in drops.
Throw
Cause to be confused emotionally
Drop
(transitive) To drip (a liquid) in drops or small amounts.
Throw
Utter with force; utter vehemently;
Hurl insults
Throw accusations at someone
Drop
To let (something) fall; to allow (something) to fall (either by releasing hold of, or losing one's grip on).
Don’t drop that plate!
The police ordered the men to drop their weapons.
Throw
Organize or be responsible for;
Hold a reception
Have, throw, or make a party
Give a course
Drop
(transitive) To move to a lower position; to allow to hang downwards; to lower.
Throw
Make on a potter's wheel;
She threw a beautiful teapot
Drop
To quickly lower or take down (one's trousers), especially in public.
Throw
Cause to fall off;
The horse threw its unexperienced rider
Drop
(cooking) To cook (food, especially fast food), particularly by lowering into hot oil to deep-fry, or by grilling.
Drop a basket of fries.
Throw
Throw (a die) out onto a flat surface;
Throw a six
Drop
(transitive) To reduce; to make smaller.
2011, Alexander Mamishev, Sean Williams, Technical Writing for Teams: The STREAM Tools Handbook (page 64)
Throw
Be confusing or perplexing to; cause to be unable to think clearly;
These questions confuse even the experts
This question completely threw me
This question befuddled even the teacher
Drop
(transitive) Of an animal (usually a sheep): to give birth to (young); of a bird: to lay (an egg).
To drop a lamb
Drop
(transitive) To mention (something) casually or incidentally, usually in conversation.
The lecturer would drop hints whenever the students struggled.
Name drop
Drop
(transitive) To let (a letter, etc.) fall into a postbox; hence, to send (a letter, email, or other message) in an offhand manner.
As she had a free moment, she dropped her a text.
Drop me a note when you get to the city.
Drop
(transitive) To make (someone or something) fall to the ground from a blow, gunshot, etc.; to bring down, to shoot down.
Make any sudden movements and I will drop you!
Drop
(transitive) To set down (someone or something) from a vehicle; to stop and deliver or deposit (someone or something); to drop off.
Could you drop me at the airport on your way to work tomorrow?
I’ll be dropping the parcel at your place later.
Drop
(transitive) To lower (a sound, a voice, etc.) in pitch or volume.
Drop
To tune (a guitar string, etc.) to a lower note.
Drop
(transitive) To cease concerning oneself over (someone or something); to have nothing more to do with (a discussion, subject, etc.).
I’m tired of this subject. Will you just drop it?
Drop
(transitive) To dispose or get rid of (something); to lose, to remove.
I dropped ten pounds and an obnoxious fiancée.
Drop
(transitive) To cease to include (something), as if on a list; to dismiss, to eject, to expel.
I’ve been dropped from the football team.
Drop
(transitive) To cancel or cease to participate in (a scheduled course, event, or project).
I had to drop calculus because it was taking up too much of my time.
Drop
To lose, spend, or otherwise part with (money).
Drop
To pass or use (counterfeit cheques, money, etc.).
Drop
To impart (something).
I drop knowledge wherever I go.
Drop
Especially in drop acid: to swallow (a drug, particularly LSD).
Drop
To release (a programme, software, a music album or song, etc.) to the public.
They dropped the album Hip-Hop Xmas in time for the holidays.
That hacker has been threatening to drop my docs [i.e. publish my personal information].
Drop
To fail to write, or (especially) to pronounce (a syllable, letter, etc.).
Cockneys drop their aitches.
Drop
To play (a portion of music) in the manner of a disc jockey.
I love it when he drops his funky beats.
That guy can drop the bass like a monster.
Drop
To perform (rap music).
Yo, I drop rhymes like nobody’s business.
Drop
To (unexpectedly) lose (a competition, game, etc.).
Drop
(cricket) Of a fielder: to fail to dismiss (a batsman) by accidentally dropping a batted ball that had initially been caught.
Warne dropped Tendulkar on 99. Tendulkar went on to get a century next ball.
Drop
(rugby) To score (a goal) by means of a drop kick.
Drop
To cover (something) with or as if with drops, especially of a different colour; to bedrop, to variegate.
Drop
To enter a more basic interface.
Drop to a shell
Drop
To present the user with a more basic interface.
You are being dropped to a recovery shell.
Drop
The quantity of fluid which falls in one small spherical mass; a liquid globule; a minim; hence, also, the smallest easily measured portion of a fluid; a small quantity; as, a drop of water.
With minute drops from off the eaves.
As dear to me as are the ruddy dropsThat visit my sad heart.
That drop of peace divine.
Drop
That which resembles, or that which hangs like, a liquid drop; as a hanging diamond ornament, an earring, a glass pendant on a chandelier, a sugarplum (sometimes medicated), or a kind of shot or slug.
Drop
Same as Gutta.
Drop
Whatever is arranged to drop, hang, or fall from an elevated position; also, a contrivance for lowering something
Drop
Any medicine the dose of which is measured by drops; as, lavender drops.
Drop
The depth of a square sail; - generally applied to the courses only.
Drop
Act of dropping; sudden fall or descent.
Drop
To pour or let fall in drops; to pour in small globules; to distill.
The recording angel, as he wrote it down, dropped a tear upon the word and blotted it out forever.
Drop
To cause to fall in one portion, or by one motion, like a drop; to let fall; as, to drop a line in fishing; to drop a courtesy.
Drop
To let go; to dismiss; to set aside; to have done with; to discontinue; to forsake; to give up; to omit.
They suddenly drop't the pursuit.
That astonishing ease with which fine ladies drop you and pick you up again.
The connection had been dropped many years.
Dropping the too rough H in Hell and Heaven.
Drop
To bestow or communicate by a suggestion; to let fall in an indirect, cautious, or gentle manner; as, to drop hint, a word of counsel, etc.
Drop
To lower, as a curtain, or the muzzle of a gun, etc.
Drop
To send, as a letter; as, please drop me a line, a letter, word.
Drop
To give birth to; as, to drop a lamb.
Drop
To cover with drops; to variegate; to bedrop.
Show to the sun their waved coats dropped with gold.
Drop
To fall in drops.
The kindly dew drops from the higher tree,And wets the little plants that lowly dwell.
Drop
To fall, in general, literally or figuratively; as, ripe fruit drops from a tree; wise words drop from the lips.
Mutilations of which the meaning has dropped out of memory.
When the sound of dropping nuts is heard.
Drop
To let drops fall; to discharge itself in drops.
The heavens . . . dropped at the presence of God.
Drop
To come to an end; to cease; to pass out of mind; as, the affair dropped.
Drop
To come unexpectedly; - with in or into; as, my old friend dropped in a moment.
Takes care to drop in when he thinks you are just seated.
Drop
To fall or be depressed; to lower; as, the point of the spear dropped a little.
Drop
To fall short of a mark.
Often it drops or overshoots by the disproportion of distance.
Drop
To be deep in extent; to descend perpendicularly; as, her main topsail drops seventeen yards.
Drop
A shape that is small and round;
He studied the shapes of low-viscosity drops
Beads of sweat on his forehead
Drop
A sudden sharp decrease in some quantity;
A drop of 57 points on the Dow Jones index
There was a drop in pressure in the pulmonary artery
A dip in prices
When that became known the price of their stock went into free fall
Drop
A steep high face of rock;
He stood on a high cliff overlooking the town
A steep drop
Drop
A predetermined hiding place for the deposit and distribution of illicit goods (such as drugs or stolen property)
Drop
A free and rapid descent by the force of gravity;
It was a miracle that he survived the drop from that height
Drop
A curtain that can be lowered and raised onto a stage from the flies; often used as background scenery
Drop
A central depository where things can be left or picked up
Drop
The act of dropping something;
They expected the drop would be successful
Drop
Let fall to the ground;
Don't drop the dishes
Drop
To fall vertically;
The bombs are dropping on enemy targets
Drop
Go down in value;
Stock prices dropped
Drop
Fall or drop to a lower place or level;
He sank to his knees
Drop
Terminate an association with;
Drop him from the Republican ticket
Drop
Utter casually;
Drop a hint
Drop
Stop pursuing or acting;
Drop a lawsuit
Knock it off!
Drop
Leave or unload, especially of passengers or cargo;
Drop
Cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow;
Strike down a tree
Lightning struck down the hikers
Drop
Lose (a game);
The Giants dropped 11 of their first 13
Drop
Pay out;
Spend money
Drop
Lower the pitch of (musical notes)
Drop
Hang freely;
The ornaments dangled from the tree
The light dropped from the ceiling
Drop
Stop associating with;
They dropped her after she had a child out of wedlock
Drop
Let or cause to fall in drops;
Dribble oil into the mixture
Drop
Get rid of;
He shed his image as a pushy boss
Shed your clothes
Drop
Leave undone or leave out;
How could I miss that typo?
The workers on the conveyor belt miss one out of ten
Drop
Change from one level to another;
She dropped into army jargon
Drop
Grow worse;
Her condition deteriorated
Conditions in the slums degenerated
The discussion devolved into a shouting match
Drop
Give birth; used for animals;
The cow dropped her calf this morning
Common Curiosities
Do you need skill to throw something?
Yes, throwing often requires skill, practice, and coordination, especially in sports or aiming at a target.
Can both throwing and dropping be part of a game?
Throwing is more commonly a part of games and sports, requiring technique and practice. Dropping is usually not an intended part of a game but can occur as a mistake.
What is the primary difference between throw and drop?
Throwing is propelling something with force, aiming for distance or a target, while dropping is simply letting something fall from one's grasp, often unintentionally.
Is dropping always due to carelessness?
Not always, dropping can also be a deliberate act, like dropping letters into a mailbox, but it often occurs due to carelessness or accident.
What kind of motion is involved in throwing?
Throwing involves a deliberate, forceful motion to propel something through the air.
How does gravity affect throwing and dropping?
Gravity affects both actions; it pulls a thrown object down in an arc and causes a dropped object to fall straight down.
Can dropping ever be intentional?
Yes, dropping can be intentional, such as when you deliberately release something to fall on its own.
Can throwing be part of a professional sport?
Yes, many professional sports, like baseball, basketball, and football, involve throwing as a fundamental skill.
What causes an object to drop?
An object drops due to gravity acting on it when it is released from a grip or support.
Is throwing used in defensive or aggressive actions?
Throwing can be used in both defensive and aggressive actions, such as in martial arts or when someone throws an object in anger.
Are there sports that focus on dropping?
Most sports focus on control over objects, including throwing or catching, rather than dropping, which is generally considered an error.
Can dropping be prevented?
Yes, by ensuring a firmer grip or being more attentive, one can often prevent dropping objects.
Does dropping involve any body parts other than the hands?
Typically, dropping involves the hands or fingers losing grip, though the entire arm may be involved in the act of releasing.
What physical skills does throwing improve?
Throwing improves coordination, strength, timing, and precision.
What emotions might lead to throwing or dropping objects?
Anger or frustration might lead to throwing objects, while surprise, fear, or carelessness might cause someone to drop objects.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
