drop out
Leave school/course early
직역: To fall or move out of a container or group
Use `drop out` when someone quits a structured program, school, or organized race before the end.
15초 만에
- Leaving a school or course before finishing.
- Stopping a long-term commitment or competition early.
- Commonly used for university students and marathon runners.
뜻
It means to stop attending a school, college, or course before you have finished your degree or certificate. You quit the program early instead of graduating.
주요 예문
3 / 6Discussing a friend's education
He decided to drop out of college to start his own business.
He decided to leave college early to start his own business.
Talking about a sports event
She had to drop out of the race because of a knee injury.
She had to quit the race because of a knee injury.
Formal academic discussion
The report analyzes why students drop out in their first year.
The report analyzes why students leave school in their first year.
문화적 배경
The phrase gained massive popularity during the 1960s counterculture movement in the US, specifically linked to Timothy Leary's 'Turn on, tune in, drop out' speech. While it once implied a rebellious rejection of society, it is now most commonly associated with the 'successful dropout' trope in the tech industry, like Bill Gates or Mark Zuckerberg.
The Noun vs. Verb Rule
Use two words for the action (`I want to drop out`) and one word for the person (`He is a dropout`).
Don't use for jobs
If you leave your job at the office, say `quit`. Using `drop out` for a job sounds very strange to native speakers.
15초 만에
- Leaving a school or course before finishing.
- Stopping a long-term commitment or competition early.
- Commonly used for university students and marathon runners.
What It Means
Drop out is what happens when you decide a course or school isn't for you. You don't finish the program. You just stop going. It usually refers to high school or university. It feels more permanent than just skipping a class. You are leaving the system entirely.
How To Use It
Use it as a phrasal verb. You can say someone dropped out of college. You can also use it as a noun: a high school dropout. Notice that the verb doesn't have a hyphen, but the noun often does. If you use it with a specific place, add of. For example: He dropped out of the marathon. It works for any organized activity, not just school.
When To Use It
Use this when talking about education or long-term commitments. It’s perfect for telling a friend why you aren't in that pottery class anymore. It’s also common in news stories about famous billionaires. We love talking about tech geniuses who dropped out of Harvard. Use it when someone quits a race or a competition too.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for small, daily things. You don't drop out of a dinner reservation. You cancel that. Don't use it for leaving a job. For work, you quit or resign. If you just leave a room, you walk out. Drop out implies leaving a structured path or a group journey.
Cultural Background
In the 1960s, the phrase became a huge cultural slogan. A famous professor told young people to "Tune in, turn on, drop out." It was about leaving mainstream society. Today, it has a double meaning. It can sound like a failure to some. To others, it sounds like the start of a startup success story. It’s a very "Silicon Valley" vibe.
Common Variations
Drop out of: The most common way to link it to a school.Dropout: The noun for the person who left.Drop back in: When someone returns to school after years away.Digital dropout: Someone who stops using social media or technology.
사용 참고사항
The phrase is very versatile and fits in both casual and professional settings. Just remember that the noun form `dropout` can carry a negative social stigma depending on the listener's values.
The Noun vs. Verb Rule
Use two words for the action (`I want to drop out`) and one word for the person (`He is a dropout`).
Don't use for jobs
If you leave your job at the office, say `quit`. Using `drop out` for a job sounds very strange to native speakers.
The Billionaire Connection
In the US, being a 'college dropout' is sometimes seen as a badge of honor for tech entrepreneurs, implying they were 'too smart' for school.
예시
6He decided to drop out of college to start his own business.
He decided to leave college early to start his own business.
Standard use for university context.
She had to drop out of the race because of a knee injury.
She had to quit the race because of a knee injury.
Used here for a physical competition.
The report analyzes why students drop out in their first year.
The report analyzes why students leave school in their first year.
Used as a standard term in sociology or education.
That yoga course was too hard, so I dropped out after week two.
That yoga course was too hard, so I quit after week two.
Shows the phrase can apply to short courses too.
I'm a kindergarten dropout; I couldn't handle the nap time schedule.
I quit kindergarten; I couldn't handle the nap time schedule.
Using the noun form for a joke.
I felt like a failure when I had to drop out, but it was the right choice.
I felt like a failure when I had to leave, but it was the right choice.
Reflecting on the personal impact of the decision.
셀프 테스트
Choose the correct form to complete the sentence.
Mark Zuckerberg is a famous Harvard ___.
In this sentence, we need a noun to describe the person, so 'dropout' (one word) is correct.
Complete the phrasal verb.
If the course is too expensive, I might have to drop ___.
'Drop out' is the specific phrasal verb meaning to quit a course.
🎉 점수: /2
시각 학습 자료
Formality of 'Drop Out'
Talking to friends about quitting a hobby.
I dropped out of the book club.
Standard way to describe leaving school.
She dropped out of university.
Academic or news reporting.
The dropout rate has increased.
Where to use 'Drop Out'
University
Leaving before graduation.
Sports
Quitting a marathon midway.
Politics
Leaving a presidential race.
Social Groups
Quitting a club or society.
자주 묻는 질문
10 질문Not really. Usually, you leave or exit a conversation. Drop out is for long-term things like schools or races.
It can be. Calling someone a high school dropout can sound judgmental, but in the tech world, it's often a compliment.
Quit is general. You can quit a job or smoking. Drop out is specific to leaving an organized path like school or a race.
Yes, if you mention the place. Say drop out of school. If you don't mention the place, just say He dropped out.
Yes! If your internet fails, you can say your connection dropped out or you dropped out of the call.
Yes, it is neutral. You can say We had several participants drop out of the study.
This is a formal term used by schools to measure what percentage of students leave before finishing.
No, for habits like biting nails or smoking, use give up or quit.
Yes, it is a regular verb: dropped out. Remember the double 'p'!
No, that would be a divorce or separation. Drop out doesn't apply to relationships.
관련 표현
Flunk out
To be forced to leave school because your grades are too low.
Pull out
To withdraw from an agreement or a competition.
Back out
To decide not to do something you previously agreed to do.
Cut and run
To leave a difficult situation quickly instead of dealing with it.
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