Drop in means to pay a short visit, often without arranging it first. People say it about visiting a friend, a neighbour, an office or a café: Drop in any time. A close synonym is drop by.
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drop in; drop in on + person; drop in at + place
- My neighbour dropped in this morning to give back the ladder she borrowed.
- If you're ever in Manchester, drop in on us — we'd love to see you.
- Students can drop in at the careers office on Fridays without an appointment.
What changed
First versionCan I drop in to you after work? I've got your book.
RevisionCan I drop in on you after work? I've got your book.
Visiting a person can make to seem right, as in go to a friend's house. But when you visit a person, drop in needs on: drop in on a friend. If you name a place, use at: drop in at the office.
Don't confuse the verb with the noun drop: a drop in prices, a drop in sales. Here in just shows what fell, and it has nothing to do with visits. It's this drop in that turns up most often in news and reports.
Your turn
I'm working from home all week, so feel free to ___ for a coffee whenever you're nearby.
Show the answer
drop in — The person is invited to pop in for a coffee whenever they're nearby: drop in. Drop off means “take someone or something somewhere” or “fall asleep”, and neither meaning fits here.
Invite a friend or colleague to come and see you. Say where and on which day they can come.
Drop in at my office on Thursday afternoon, and I'll show you the new designs.
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