Phrasal verb
drop out
Meanings
To leave school, college, or a course before completing it.
To stop participating in an organized activity, program, or group.
To withdraw from a race or competition before it is finished.
Definition
To drop out means to stop doing a course, activity, or competition before finishing it.
To drop out is to quit a school program, training course, or organized activity before it ends. People often drop out because they lose interest, face difficulties, or choose a different path. It can also mean leaving a race or competition before the finish.
Examples
- I decided to drop out of the evening class because my schedule changed.
- She didn’t want to drop out, but the workload became overwhelming.
- They had to drop out of the tournament after their captain got injured.
- He plans to drop out of the club this month to focus on family.
- You can drop out at any time, but you won’t get a certificate.
Common mistake
Learners often forget the preposition and say “drop out school” instead of “drop out of school.”
More phrasal verbs
- go on To go on means to continue or keep happening.
- carry out To carry out something means to do it or complete it, especially a plan, task, or instruction.
- set up To set up means to arrange or prepare something so it is ready to use or happen.
- pick up “Pick up” most commonly means to collect someone or something from a place, usually by going there.
- go back To go back means to return to a place, time, or earlier situation.