drop
at the drop of a hat without delay or good reason. informal
1991Independent These days Soviet visas are issued at the drop of a hat.
drag and drop: seedrag.
drop your aitches fail to pronounce the 'h' sound, especially at the beginning of words.
☞ In Britain, dropping your aitches is considered by some to be a sign of a lack of education or of inferior social class.
1903George Bernard ShawMan & Superman This man takes more trouble to drop his aitches than ever his father did to pick them up.
drop the ball make a mistake; mishandle things. North American informal
drop a brick make an indiscreet or embarrassing remark. British informal
drop your bundle: seebundle.
drop a clanger make an embarrassing or foolish mistake. British informal
☞ Dropping something that makes a loud clang attracts attention; this mid-20th-century expression is used especially in the context of a very embarrrassing or tactless act or remark made in a social situation.
2003Jozef ImrichA Media Dragon I don't live my life in a simplistic way. Sometimes I drop a clanger, sometimes I make a mistake, other times I get it right
drop dead
1 die suddenly and unexpectedly.
2 used as an expression of intense scorn or dislike.
☞ This idiom is the source of the adjective drop-dead, which is used to emphasize how attractive someone or something is, as in drop-dead gorgeous.
drop the (or a) dime on inform on someone to the police. US informal
1990Scott TurowThe Burden of Proof Dixon says he's thought it over, the best course for him is just to drop the dime on John.
drop your guard: seeguard.
drop a hint (or drop hints) let fall a hint or hints, as if casually or unconsciously.
drop someone or something like a hot potato: seehot.
drop someone in it place someone in an embarrassing or awkward situation. informal
drop someone a line send someone a note or letter in a casual manner.
a drop in the ocean (or in a bucket) a very small amount compared with what is needed or expected.
1995Ian RankinLet It Bleed A few million was a drop in the ocean, hardly a ripple.
drop like flies: see die like flies atfly.
drop names: seename.
drop the pilot: seepilot.
drop your trousers deliberately let your trousers fall down, especially in a public place.
fit (or ready) to drop worn out; exhausted.
have the drop on have the advantage over. informal
☞ Have the drop on was originally a mid-19th-century US expression used literally to mean that you have the opportunity to shoot before your opponent can use their weapon.
2000Clay Shooting He always seems to have the drop on me by one bird no matter how hard I try.
your jaw drops: seejaw.
let it drop (or rest) say or do no more about a matter or problem.
let something drop (or fall) casually reveal a piece of information.
the penny drops: seepenny.
shop till you drop: seeshop.
you could hear a pin drop: seepin.