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Phrasal verbs "drop by" vs "get by"

Differences between drop by and get by

Drop by means to visit someone briefly, usually without an appointment or prior notice. Get by means to manage or survive with limited resources or abilities.

Meanings and Definitions: drop by vs get by

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Drop by

  • 1Pay a brief visit.

    He DROPPED BY on his way home from work.

Get by

  • 1Have just enough money to live on.

    They're finding it increasingly difficult to GET BY since their daughter was born.

  • 2Not be noticed ( problems, errors, etc ).

    I had checked it, but there still were a few mistakes that didn't GET BY the editor.

Usage Examples: drop by, get by in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

drop by

Example

I will drop by your house after work.

Example

She drops by her parents' house every weekend.

get by

Example

I'm not rich, but I can get by with my current salary.

Example

She gets by on a tight budget every month.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Drop by

pop in

To visit someone briefly and informally, usually without an appointment or prior notice.

Example

I'm going to pop in at my friend's house to drop off some cookies.

swing by

To visit someone briefly and informally, usually while on the way to another destination.

Example

I'll swing by your office to pick up the documents on my way to the meeting.

stop over

To visit someone briefly and informally, usually while traveling to another destination.

Example

We're going to stop over at my sister's house for a night before continuing our road trip.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Get by

make do

To manage or cope with limited resources or abilities.

Example

We had to make do with what we had during the power outage.

scrape by

To barely manage or survive with limited resources or abilities.

Example

As a student, I had to scrape by with part-time jobs to pay for my tuition and living expenses.

get along

To manage or coexist with others, especially in difficult circumstances.

Example

Despite their differences, they were able to get along and work together on the project.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “by”

Differences in drop by vs get by: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: drop by or get by?

In daily conversation, people use get by more often than drop by. This is because get by is a common expression used to describe managing with limited resources or abilities, which is a common experience for many people. Drop by is less common and is only used when referring to visiting someone.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of drop by and get by

Drop by and get by are both informal phrases that are suitable for everyday interactions with friends and family. However, get by can also be used in more formal settings like business or academic contexts.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of drop by and get by

The tone of drop by and get by can differ based on context. Drop by often carries a friendly or casual tone when referring to visiting someone, while get by typically has a practical and sometimes negative tone, especially when referring to managing with limited resources or abilities.

drop by & get by: Synonyms and Antonyms

Drop by

Synonyms

  • visit
  • stop by
  • call in
  • come by
  • swing by
  • pop in

Antonyms

Get by

Synonyms

Antonyms

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