stop by

Meaning

To 'stop by' means to make a short, casual visit to a person or a place, often without a formal invitation or planning. It is commonly used in friendly, everyday conversations when you want to see someone briefly. The tone is relaxed and warm, suggesting that the visit won't take up too much of the other person's time.

Examples

• I was in your neighborhood, so I thought I'd stop by and say hello.

  I was in your neighborhood, so I thought I'd stop by and say hello.

• Can you stop by my office for a quick second before you head home?

  Can you stop by my office for a quick second before you head home?

• My sister stopped by last night to drop off the birthday present.

  My sister stopped by last night to drop off the birthday present.

• Feel free to stop by anytime this weekend; we'll just be hanging out at home.

  Feel free to stop by anytime this weekend; we'll just be hanging out at home.

• We should stop by Sarah's place to see how her new puppy is doing.

  We should stop by Sarah's place to see how her new puppy is doing.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I will stop by you tonight.

  ✓ I will stop by your place tonight.

  You cannot 'stop by' a person directly. You must stop by a location, such as 'your house', 'your office', or 'your place'. Alternatively, you can say 'stop by and see you'.

• ✗ She stopped by to my house yesterday.

  ✓ She stopped by my house yesterday.

  Do not use the preposition 'to' after 'stop by'. The phrasal verb 'stop by' already connects directly to the destination.

Related Expressions

Practice

• If you are free this afternoon, why don't you ___ and have a cup of coffee with me?

  💡 A casual phrase meaning to visit briefly.

  Show answer

  stop by

• I promised to ___ my grandmother's house to help her water the plants.

  💡 A phrasal verb for making a short, helpful visit.

  Show answer

  stop by