drop out Meaning, Definition & Usage

1. verb give up in the face of defeat of lacking hope; admit defeat
   quit; throw in; throw in the towel; chuck up the sponge; fall by the wayside; give up; drop by the wayside.
   
   • In the second round, the challenger gave up
2. verb withdraw from established society, especially because of disillusion with conventional values
   
   • She hasn't heard from her brother in years--he dropped out after moving to California
3. verb leave school or an educational program prematurely
   
   • Many students drop out because they are not prepared for our challenging program

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