drop names

drop names

To mention important people as if they are one's friends or associates, usually in an attempt to receive preferential treatment. A: "I know Jim, the owner, OK?" B: "You can drop names all you want, but you're still not getting into this restaurant any time soon."
See also: drop, name
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

drop names

 and drop someone's name
to mention a name or the names of important or famous people as if they were personal friends. (See also drop someone's name.) Mary always tries to impress people by dropping the name of some big-time executives she claims to know. Bill's such a snob. Leave it to him to drop the names of all the local gentry.
See also: drop, name
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

drop names

Refer to important persons as acquaintances in order to impress the listener. For example, Her habit of dropping names made everyone very skeptical about her veracity. [Mid-1900s]
See also: drop, name
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

drop names

refer frequently to well-known people in such a way as to imply that they are close acquaintances.
See also: drop, name
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

drop ˈnames

mention famous people you know or have met in order to impress others ▶ ˈname-dropping noun: I can’t stand all this name-dropping! Does he really know Brad Pitt?
See also: drop, name
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

name dropping

Also, to drop names. Mentioning the names of famous persons to imply that one is on familiar terms with them. The term dates from the mid-1900s. J. D. Salinger had an amusing take on it in Franny and Zooey (1962): “There’s an unwritten law that people in a certain social or financial bracket may name drop as much as they like just as long as they say something terribly disparaging about the person as soon as they’ve dropped his name.”
See also: dropping, name
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • name dropping
  • drop (someone's) name
  • the chosen few
  • at the end of (one's) fingertips
  • at (one's) doorstep
  • at doorstep
  • ball and chain
  • a ball and chain
  • at expense
  • at someone's expense
References in periodicals archive
At the same time, nobody should drop names to seek to influence the course of those investigations.'
Statement On Pinnick's Arrest, Prosecution Fake a Presidency
Pablo refused to drop names, but sources said Cocolife was the frontrunner in what team managers and sideliners branded as the "Myla Pablo Sweepstakes.
Motolite's Myla Pablo admits nearly jumping ship to PSL
Her uncritical use of Plato to justify her stance betrayed the fact that she meant not education, but social class should determine the right to vote - people who can read Foreign Policy and the Guardian, and drop names of political philosophers make better decisions at the ballot box.
Plato and Biryani
After knocking down the Argentine thrice, it looks like he has a lot left in the tank, enough for him to drop names of possible opponents for his fight when asked about his future plans.
Not ready to retire, Pacquiao lists potential opponents
We got to attend a lot of high-profile events like Elton's John's AIDS memorial dinner, WME (William Morris Endeavor Entertainment) party and the Vanity Fair party in addition to some other really posh parties where we got to interact with really interesting people from all over the world." However, Richa refuses to drop names. "But I'll tell you one thing.
Richa Chadha on life after love
The spokesman also did not drop names as to who would hand the trophy to the winners if it's Prince William or somebody else.
Will Prince William Make It To FA Cup Finals After Royal Wedding?
"It's a suggestion box that all citizens can drop names or reports about drug pushers or users or even any kind of anomaly they have experienced," she pointed out.
Crime drop boxes will not be abused, QC vice mayor assures
"He'd drop names hourly of the people he'd spoken with."
Rare interview of PFLP leader Ghassan Kanafani revealed
"Malcolm does not boast or drop names, and you would never know the influence he has as he speaks easily and confidently with all who approach him.
Heard on the Hill: Malcolm Bennett awarded AIMS Grassroots Member Advocate of the Year
For a man with Warnock's propensity to drop names - Pele gets a page by way of comparison - it is some accolade for the Moroccan maestro but then, as the man who managed him at Queens Park Rangers points out in the first paragraph, there are some players who are worth the bother.
It is time to bring Ben Arfa in from the cold; The voice of North East sport
One of his accusers, who says she was abused at the age of 15 in 1977, said he would drop names of celebrities to impress her, claiming he played squash with entertainer Tommy Steele.
PR guru Clifford was sex predator; BOASTS women tell of celeb name-dropping He offered stardom and used bully tactics, court is told
While other musicians might have been content to drop names and move on, in See a Little Light those war stories serve as springboards for Mould to dive into a deep discussions.
See a Little Light
In first, carrying maximum files, guaranteeing their mobile phone will go off mid-meeting and it will always be a VIP, they will drop names, laugh loudest at the chief's silly jokes and project this image of total dedication.
Other Side of the Mirror: Dedication of the sticky sort
They use bold language and often drop names," one officer who is part of the investigation said.
ROYALS JUST THE TIP OF IPL FIX BERG