drop back

drop back

1. To move away from someone or something, especially to provide space and privacy. Hey guys, can you drop back a little so that I can talk to this girl alone? The bodyguard tried to get the photographers to drop back while the singer exited her vehicle.
2. In American football, to move back behind the line of scrimmage. The quarterback is known for dropping back very quickly before he throws.
See also: back, drop
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

drop back

 
1. . to fall back to an original position. His arm raised up and then dropped back. The lid dropped back to its original position as soon as we let go of it.
2. to go slowly and lose one's position in a march or procession. He dropped back a bit and evened up the spacing in the line of marchers. He got tired and dropped back a little.
See also: back, drop
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

drop back

Step back, retreat. For example, When it was time for a group picture, Mary dropped back.
See also: back, drop
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

drop back

v.
1. To take a position behind some group by moving more slowly: I dropped back behind the group of my friends and walked alone on the beach.
2. Football To back away from the line of scrimmage: The quarterback dropped back to throw a pass.
See also: back, drop
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • clearance
  • get (the) clearance to (do something)
  • be up to (something)
  • it is the pace that kills
  • hay is for horses
  • blaze
  • blazes
  • blazing
  • all yours
  • (I) just want(ed) to tell you (something)
References in periodicals archive
DROP BACK IN TRIP: Cue Card and Joe Tizzard jump the water fence in the lead in the Betfred Goals Galore Novices Chase at Newbury on New Year's Eve
Card to come calling
Having a at the Keyst beath y m start r a in second crack contest is troke, who was aten a nose in he race two years ago and ade a winning t for new er Stuart Oh This Is Us: "drop back to seve furlongs shouldn't be a problem"
Oh This Is Us is in pole position
"I think the Nassau Stakes would appeal for her, but the German Oaks, although a drop back in trip, might be the easiest option.
Secret Gesture could head to Germany; RACING
"He just ran out of stamina towards the end, but he ran to his mark and he'll drop back to two-and-a-half miles.
Oh boy! Voy set for drop
The fact he travels so well in his races makes the drop back to 1m1f a help rather than a hindrance and from stall 33 he must surely go close if he has recovered from last week's exertions.
Rise in weights won't be enough to stop Brorocco; Pricewise TOM SEGAL Madeline2.20 Newmarket 1pt win at 14-1 with Betway and CoralKing's Pavilion2.05 Haydock 1pt win at 8-1 generallyJohnny Barnes3.15 Haydock 1pt win at 8-1 with BetfredBrorocco3.35 Newmarket 1pt win at 14-1 with 188BetAlready advised Thundering Blue3.35 Newmarket 1pt win at 16-1El Hayem3.35 Newmarket 1pt win at 20-1
Byrne tried to hit back, briefly going ahead at Paddock Hill on the penultimate lap, only to run wide and drop back to third, behind his HM Plant Honda team-mate, the reigning champion Ryuichi Kiyonari.
BYRNE ON FIRE FIRST TIME OUT
That was a pleasing effort given her lengthy lay-off, and she also seemed to appreciate the drop back in trip, having been campaigned over six and seven furlongs last term.
RACING: More joy on way for Gary
Striker Livingstone was forced to drop back into central defence when injury side-lined Mark Lever after 20 minutes and Buckley pushed on forward Lee Nogan to replace him.
Football: Livingstone's a winner; MILLWALL 0 GRIMSBY 1
They are no longer able to simply drop back to specific points on the field, read the quarterback, and shut down the receivers.
Cover the receiver, not air!
Delfie Lane 8.45 Brighton SP forecast 7-4 Tough gelding who shouldn't mind the drop back to 6f judged on his second place at Newbury 12 days ago.
BANKERS OR BLOWOUTS?
DINKUM DIAMOND (Henry Candy) BEATEN less than four lengths by Sole Power in last week's Nunthorpe Stakes, a drop back in grade could see a winning return.
Watch out for ..
He ran well enough to finish third at Ayr last time but gave the impression that this drop back in trip will suit him much better.
MONT PRESENT has been running [...]
The drop back to six furlongs will be more to his liking.
RACING: Dane's made for rain
The basic elements in the teaching progression include the stance, separation step, drop back, front-shoulder drop, plant step, target step, and follow through.
Calibrating the precision-timed passing attack: the QB's dropback has to be timed out with the receiver's break
Italian clubs have often struggled against intense pressure in European competition in recent years, unaccustomed to facing this challenge in Serie A, where teams usually drop back into a deep, disciplined shape.
Back Barca to make a fast start and not look back