■ verb ( ~s , ~ping , ~ped )
1》 fall or cause to fall vertically.
↘deliver by parachute.
↘sink to or towards the ground.
↘ informal collapse from exhaustion.
2》 make or become lower, weaker, or less.
↘lose (a point, a match, etc.).
3》 abandon or discontinue: the charges against him were ~ped.
↘discard or exclude.
4》 set down or unload (a passenger or goods).
↘place without ceremony: ~ the form in the post.
5》 mention in passing, especially in order to impress.
6》 [usu. as adjective ~ped ] Rugby score by a ~ kick.
7》 informal take (a drug) orally.
8》 Bridge be forced to play (a relatively high card) as a loser.
9》 (of an animal) give birth to.
■ noun
1》 a small round or pear-shaped portion of liquid.
↘( ~s ) liquid medication applied in very small amounts.
2》 [usu. with negative ] a drink of alcohol: he hadn't touched a ~.
3》 an instance of falling or ~ping.
↘an abrupt fall or slope.
4》 informal a delivery.
↘ US a letter box.
5》 a sweet or lozenge: a chocolate ~.
6》 a pendant earring.
7》 a ~ cloth.
8》 the trapdoor on a gallows, through which the victim falls.
Phrases
at the ~ of a hat informal without delay or good reason.
~ the ball N. Amer. informal make a mistake.
~ a brick Brit. informal make an indiscreet or embarrassing remark.
~ a clanger Brit. informal make an embarrassing or foolish mistake.
~ a curtsy Brit. make a curtsy.
~ dead die suddenly and unexpectedly.
~ one's guard abandon one's habitual defensive or watchful stance.
~ a hint give a hint, as if casually or unconsciously.
a ~ in the ocean (or N. Amer. bucket ) a very small amount compared with what is needed or expected.
~ someone a line send someone an informal note or letter.
~ a stitch let a stitch fall off the end of a knitting needle.
have the ~ on informal have the advantage over.
Phrasal verbs
~ back/behind fall back or get left behind.
~ by/in visit informally and briefly.
~ off fall asleep, especially without intending to.
~ out
1》 cease to participate.
2》 abandon a course of study.
3》 pursue an alternative lifestyle.
4》 Rugby restart play with a ~ kick.
Derivatives
~pable adjective
Origin
OE ~a (n.), ~pian (v.), of Gmc origin; related to drip and droop .