drop by the wayside

drop by the wayside

1. To step out of a procession and stand nearby (due to not feeling fit to continue). I was supposed to walk in with my classmates, but I started to feel dizzy and dropped by the wayside.
2. To fail to stay at the same level of knowledge or proficiency as others. If you don't do your homework now, it won't be long before you drop by the wayside in this class.
See also: by, drop, wayside
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

drop by the wayside

 and fall by the wayside 
1. Lit. to leave a march or procession in exhaustion to recover beside the pathway. A few of the marchers dropped by the wayside in the intense heat.
2. Fig. to fail to keep up with others. Many of the students will drop by the wayside and never finish. Those who fall by the wayside will find it hard to catch up.
See also: by, drop, wayside
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • wayside
  • white coat hypertension
  • crawl along
  • fall by the wayside
  • fall by the wayside, to
  • feeling okay?
  • dizzy with a dame
  • brave it out
  • brave out
  • commiserate with
References in periodicals archive
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The longer artists work, the narrower their path usually becomes, and the more possibilities drop by the wayside. I'm no different--I reject things too, as I've said.
The rules of the game
Despite the best of intentions, half of all people who take up new exercise programs drop by the wayside within six months.
Stick-to-it-iveness
As a result of such setbacks, Halper says, "A lot of people with wonderful ideas drop by the wayside.'
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Having watched colleagues drop by the wayside during their training regimes, Steve McCoy decided to seek some expert advice during the final push to the big day.
Making sure you line up at the start; It's the final countdown to the Great North Run and as runners gear up for the big day health reporter JANE PICKEN finds out about one expert giving them a sporting chance In association with the NHS North East
"On a personal level, I've had a few drop by the wayside, but generally didn't school as many for the Springbok as I normally do.
Greyhounds: Springbok lacks a touch of class