Understanding ‘Drop out’: Definition and Usage
The phrasal verb ‘drop out’ is a crucial component of English vocabulary, especially for IELTS candidates aiming to enhance their language proficiency. It primarily means to leave a school, college, or university before completing a course of study. However, its usage extends beyond educational contexts.
Multiple Meanings of ‘Drop out’
- To quit a course, school, or competition (Primary meaning)
- To withdraw from conventional society
- To fall asleep suddenly
- To stop participating in an activity or situation
Synonyms for ‘drop out’ include: quit, withdraw, leave, abandon, or discontinue.
Contextual Usage of ‘Drop out’
In Educational Settings
“After struggling with his grades for months, Tom decided to drop out of university.”
In Social Contexts
“Many young people in the 1960s chose to drop out of mainstream society and embrace alternative lifestyles.”
In Sports
“Due to a knee injury, the top-seeded player had to drop out of the tournament.”
Grammar Analysis
‘Drop out’ is a separable phrasal verb, meaning that in some cases, the object can come between ‘drop’ and ‘out’.
- “She dropped out of the course.” (Standard usage)
- “She dropped the course out.” (Also correct, but less common)
When using pronouns, separation is mandatory:
- “She dropped it out.” (Incorrect)
- “She dropped out of it.” (Correct)
Application in IELTS
Speaking Section
In the IELTS Speaking test, using ‘drop out’ can demonstrate your vocabulary range and ability to discuss educational or social issues.
Sample answer for “Describe a challenge you faced in your education”:
“One of the biggest challenges I faced was in my first year of university. The workload was intense, and I felt overwhelmed. At times, I considered dropping out, but with support from my family and tutors, I persevered and completed my degree.”
Writing Section
In IELTS Writing, ‘drop out’ can be effectively used in Task 2 essays, particularly when discussing education or social issues.
Example:
“The high dropout rate in secondary education is a growing concern in many countries. Students who drop out often face limited career prospects and may struggle to reintegrate into the education system later in life.”
Related Phrasal Verbs
-
Give up /gɪv ʌp/ – to stop trying or abandon hope
Example: “Don’t give up on your dreams, even when things get tough.” -
Opt out /ɒpt aʊt/ – to choose not to participate in something
Example: “Many students opted out of the optional field trip.” -
Pull out /pʊl aʊt/ – to withdraw from an activity or agreement
Example: “The company pulled out of the merger at the last minute.” -
Back out /bæk aʊt/ – to withdraw from an agreement or commitment
Example: “He backed out of the deal when he realized it wasn’t profitable.” -
Bow out /baʊ aʊt/ – to retire or withdraw gracefully
Example: “After 30 years in politics, she decided to bow out and enjoy retirement.” -
Check out /tʃek aʊt/ – to leave a hotel after paying
Example: “We need to check out of the hotel by noon tomorrow.” -
Flunk out /flʌŋk aʊt/ – to be dismissed from school for academic failure
Example: “He flunked out of college after failing all his exams.”
Practice Exercises
Fill in the Blanks
- After struggling with the pressure, the singer decided to __ __ of the competition.
- Many students __ __ of high school due to financial difficulties.
- He __ __ of society and lived in isolation for years.
- The athlete had to __ __ of the race due to an injury.
- She considered ___ __ of the course but decided to persevere.
- Several investors __ __ of the project when the risks became apparent.
- Don’t __ __ now; you’re so close to achieving your goal.
- The company __ __ of the merger negotiations at the last minute.
- He __ __ of the conversation when it turned political.
- Many participants __ __ of the study before it was completed.
Sentence Rewriting
-
Original: Tom left university before completing his degree.
Rewrite: Tom __ __ of university before completing his degree. -
Original: She decided not to participate in the volunteer program.
Rewrite: She decided to __ __ of the volunteer program. -
Original: The team withdrew from the tournament due to injuries.
Rewrite: The team __ __ of the tournament due to injuries. -
Original: Many students fail to complete their online courses.
Rewrite: Many students __ __ of their online courses. -
Original: He stopped attending the meetings without explanation.
Rewrite: He __ __ of the meetings without explanation. -
Original: Sarah left high school in her senior year.
Rewrite: Sarah __ __ of high school in her senior year. -
Original: The company decided not to continue with the project.
Rewrite: The company decided to __ __ of the project. -
Original: John stopped participating in social activities after his divorce.
Rewrite: John __ __ of social activities after his divorce. -
Original: Many people leave social media due to privacy concerns.
Rewrite: Many people __ __ of social media due to privacy concerns. -
Original: The politician withdrew from the race a week before the election.
Rewrite: The politician __ __ of the race a week before the election.
Answers and Explanations
Fill in the Blanks:
- drop out
- drop out
- dropped out
- drop out
- dropping out
- dropped out
- drop out
- pulled out
- dropped out
- dropped out
Sentence Rewriting:
- dropped out
- opt out
- dropped out
- drop out
- dropped out
- dropped out
- drop out
- dropped out
- drop out
- dropped out
Explanations:
- In most cases, ‘drop out’ is the appropriate phrasal verb to use when describing leaving an activity, course, or situation.
- In sentence 2 of the rewriting exercise, ‘opt out’ is used as it specifically means to choose not to participate in something.
- In sentence 3 of the fill in the blanks, ‘dropped out’ is used to describe withdrawing from conventional society.
- Remember that ‘drop out’ is often used in educational contexts, but it can also apply to other situations where someone stops participating or withdraws.
Memory Tips
To remember the meaning and usage of ‘drop out’:
- Visualize a student literally “dropping” out of a school building.
- Create a mnemonic: “Don’t Run Out; Plan – Dropout Often Undermines Tomorrow”
- Associate it with the image of water droplets falling out of a container, representing leaving a situation.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
-
Mistake: Using ‘drop off’ instead of ‘drop out’
Correct: “He dropped out of college.” (Not “He dropped off college.”) -
Mistake: Incorrect preposition
Correct: “She dropped out of the course.” (Not “She dropped out from the course.”) -
Mistake: Using it as a noun incorrectly
Correct: “He’s a college dropout.” (Not “He’s a college drop out.”) -
Mistake: Overusing in formal writing
Tip: In academic writing, consider using more formal alternatives like “withdraw” or “discontinue studies.” -
Mistake: Misunderstanding the tone
Tip: Be aware that ‘drop out’ can sometimes carry a negative connotation, especially in educational contexts.
Conclusion
Mastering phrasal verbs like ‘drop out’ is crucial for success in the IELTS exam and for overall English proficiency. This versatile phrasal verb can be applied in various contexts, from education to social situations. By understanding its multiple meanings, correct usage, and practicing with the exercises provided, you can confidently incorporate ‘drop out’ into your English vocabulary. Remember to use it appropriately in both speaking and writing tasks, and be mindful of its connotations in different contexts. Keep practicing and expanding your phrasal verb repertoire to enhance your language skills and achieve your desired IELTS score.
For more insights on improving your IELTS performance, check out our guides on student retention strategies and how to effectively knock out challenging exam questions. Additionally, learn how to use other useful phrasal verbs like drop by and hang out to enrich your conversational English.