Drop a Course: Meaning, Usage, and Examples

Meaning 1：withdraw from a class (Drop a course)

Drop a course 🔊

/drɒp ə kɔːrs/

v.phr.

To formally withdraw from or cancel registration in a class or subject at school or university.

Student filling out course withdrawal form at university office

withdraw from a class 🔊

➕

/wɪðˈdrɔː frəm ə klæs/

v.phr.

To officially cancel one's enrollment in a specific course at a school or university, usually before the deadline for refund or grade penalty.

📁 Category：School Education 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

'Drop' from Old English 'dropa' (small amount), evolved to mean 'abandon'.

💡 Mnemonic

Think of dropping a heavy textbook to feel lighter—like dropping a stressful course.

📖 Example

After finding the chemistry class too challenging, she decided to drop a course and take art instead. 🔊 After finding the chemistry class too challenging, she decided to drop a course and take art instead.

🔗 Collocations

drop a class – withdraw from a specific class

drop a subject – cancel enrollment in a subject

drop an elective – withdraw from an elective course

🔄 Synonyms

withdraw from a course (v.phr.) – To formally leave a course, similar to dropping it.

cancel enrollment (v.phr.) – To terminate one's official registration in a course.

quit a class (v.phr.) – Informal way of saying to stop attending a class.

🚫 Antonyms

enroll in a course (v.phr.) – To sign up for a course.

add a course (v.phr.) – To register for an additional course.

sign up for a class (v.phr.) – To join a class by registering.

📖 Cultural Story

'Drop a course' originated in early 20th century US universities as student slang for withdrawing from a class, reflecting administrative removal from a roster.