drop back (
also drop behind)
phrasal verb (
see also drop)
to move more slowly than other people so that they get ahead of you:
He started out with the leaders but at the first fence he dropped back. Ellen dropped behind to tie her shoelace. [TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲
drop back v. To move or step backwards; retreat.
The soldiers dropped back before the enemy's attack. The quarterback dropped back to pass the football. Compare: DRAW BACK, FADE BACK, FALL BACK.
[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲