The correct spelling of the phrase "dropt like hot potato" is actually "dropped like a hot potato". The use of "dropt" is an archaic spelling and is not commonly used today. The correct pronunciation of the word "dropped" is /drɑpt/ in the IPA transcription. The phrase means to instantly let go of something, like a hot potato, because it’s too difficult or risky to handle. This colloquial expression has been around since at least the early 1900s.
"Dropt like a hot potato" is an idiom that is used to describe a situation where something or someone is abandoned or discarded instantly and without hesitation, typically due to its or their undesirable nature or association. This phrase draws from the notion that a hot potato is difficult to hold onto as it may burn one's hands, therefore making one voluntarily let go of it as soon as possible.
The expression implies a sudden and intense rejection or disassociation, emphasizing the speed and urgency of the action performed. It conveys the idea that the subject, whether an object, an idea, or a person, is instantly considered undesirable, untrustworthy, or burdensome, and therefore swiftly and resolutely thrown aside.
Moreover, this idiom often indicates that the subject's presence or association is perceived as troublesome or dangerous, urging individuals to distance themselves or distance their reputation from it to avoid encountering negative consequences or being implicated in any harm.
The phrase "dropt like a hot potato" is widely used in informal conversations and is quite vivid in its imagery, conveying a sense of urgency and immediacy in the act of abandoning something unpleasant. It serves as a colloquial way of expressing the speed and decisiveness with which people can detach themselves from problematic or unwelcome elements in their lives.