drop steeply

[/drɒp ˈstiːpli/]
verb phrase
cair abruptamente
1. to fall or descend rapidly at a sharp angle or with great velocity
The stock prices dropped steeply after the announcement.
Os preços das ações caíram abruptamente após o anúncio.
2. to descend at a precipitous angle (terrain or landscape)
The cliff drops steeply into the ocean.
O penhasco cai abruptamente no oceano.
3. to decrease sharply in quantity, quality, or value
Her grades dropped steeply in the second semester.
Suas notas caíram abruptamente no segundo semestre.
This phrase is frequently used in Brazilian and American financial media to describe sudden market downturns or economic declines. In American English, 'tank' or 'nosedive' are common informal alternatives. In Brazilian Portuguese, 'despencar' has become increasingly popular in financial journalism as an expressive alternative to the more formal 'cair abruptamente.'
NYC Slang
tank, crater, nosedive
Synonyms / Sinônimos
fall sharplyplungedecline rapidlytumbledescend abruptlydecrease steeply
Antonyms / Antônimos
rise steeplyclimb graduallyincrease steadilyascend

Regional Variations

General Brazilian Portuguese
cair abruptamente
most common and neutral usage
Brazil (financial contexts)
despencar
informal but widely understood in business and finance discussions
Portugal
cair abruptamente
same as Brazilian Portuguese; also used is 'descer de forma abrupta'
Technical/Formal contexts
declinar precipitadamente
more formal register used in academic or official documents

Related Words

precipitousplummetnosedivesharp declinedownturndescent

Related Idioms & Phrases

take a nosedive
hit rock bottom
plummet
go through the floor
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