english
1
general::
Refer to important persons as acquaintances in order to impress the listener. For example, Her habit of dropping names made everyone very skeptical about her veracity. [Mid-1900s]
American Heritage Idioms
2
general::
Phrase(s): drop names [and] drop someone’s name to mention a name or the names of important or famous people as if they were personal friends. (See also drop someone’s name.) • Mary always tries to impress people by dropping the name of some big-time executives she claims to know. • Bill’s such a snob. Leave it to him to drop the names of all the local gentry.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs