drop back
Word Rarity
Uncommon
Frequency: 4.95 in modern English
19
Scrabble Score
8
Letters
1
Syllables
8
Unique Chars
Meaning
verb
Of a quarterback or other player in the backfield, to take a number of steps back from the line of scrimmage immediately after the snap or hike of the ball, to avoid defenders.
verb
To move to a lower (or slower) position in a race or competition; to slow down so as to meet up with someone behind oneself
verb
Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see drop, back.
noun
The act by a player in the backfield of dropping back from the line of scrimmage after the hike of the ball.
Example Sentences
- "The Tiger quarterback is dropping back to pass."
- "Without the ball, he was often the furthest player forward, harrying Raphaël Varane and Éder Militão and cutting off the supply to Casemiro (all of whom had wretched games). When City won the ball, meanwhile, he dropped back, slipping between the lines, demanding the ball and laying it off economically."
- "With his ankle injury his drop back is not pretty."