drop back

Recede from front

To drop back is to fall behind or retreat from a forward position.

In football, a quarterback drops back from the line of scrimmage to pass: He dropped back and scanned the field.

More generally, it means to move toward the rear of a group or lose ground: She dropped back to chat with stragglers.

retreat

withdraw

Remove or pull away

fallbackAlternative if primary fails
retireCease employment permanently
disengageBreak free from attachment

reposition · give ground · yield · backpedal · retreat · recede · fall behind · ease off · trail · lag behind

football

quarterback

Passing position in football

passMove beyond or decline
pocketFabric compartment in clothing
shotgunLong gun firing shot

scramble · throw · formation · snap · offensive line · protection · rollout · play-action · audible · receiver

decline

diminish

To make smaller

waneDecrease gradually
decreaseBecome or make smaller
lessenReduce in degree

subside · fall off · taper · dwindle · slip · slide · fade · weaken · ebb · shrink

Categories

maneuversmaneuver, feint, sidestep, dodge, evasion
football playsplay-action pass, slant, counter, draw, sweep
soccer tacticsformation, pressing, passing, counter-attack, counterattack
defensedefense, defending, protecting, protection, security
defensive positionsdefensive stance, guard stance, ready position, fighting stance, en garde

Opposites

forward/backward movement

drop backadvance

Move or progress forward

move forward · push forward · move ahead · push up · press forward

positional change in a group/race

drop backpull ahead

Gain a leading position

move up · gain ground · surge ahead · take the lead · catch up

progress/regression

drop backadvance

Move or progress forward

progress · gain ground · forge ahead · get ahead · make headway

Family

back, drop, backing, dropped, drops, backed, backdrop, dropping, droplet

Familiarity: Top 100,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G