verb
1. take position in the rear, as in a military formation or in the line of scrimmage in football (Freq. 1)
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The defender dropped back behind his teammate
• Hypernyms: ↑move
• Verb Frames:
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Somebody ——s
2. to lag or linger behind
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But in so many other areas we still are dragging
• Syn: ↑drag, ↑trail, ↑get behind, ↑hang back, ↑drop behind
• Hypernyms: ↑lag, ↑dawdle, ↑fall back, ↑fall behind
• Verb Frames:
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Something ——s
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Somebody ——s
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Something is ——ing PP
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Somebody ——s PP
* * *
drop back [phrasal verb]
American football : to move straight back from the line of scrimmage
The quarterback dropped back and threw a long pass down the field.
• • •
Main Entry: ↑drop
* * *
ˌdrop ˈback/beˈhind | ˌdrop beˈhind sb derived
to move or fall into position behind sb else
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We cannot afford to drop behind our competitors.
Useful english dictionary. 2012.