Meaning of "drop me a line"

[Jojo]

Test No. express/elem-3 "Take it easy", question 7

Don't forget to drop me a line when you're away.

(a) telephone me
(b) call me
(c) write to me
(d) send me a telegram

Test No. express/elem-3 "Take it easy", answer 7

Don't forget to write to me when you're away.

Correct answer: (c) write to me

Your answer was: incorrect
Don't forget to telephone me when you're away.
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why is it incorrect?

Jojo

[Alan]

This means write me (a line).
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English as a Second Language
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[Mike]

Strictly speaking this might have been where the phrase came from but it's fairly informal so people wouldn't take you that litterally.
If someone said that to you they wouldn't be too surprised if you were to call, sms/text, email, etc.

[Alan]

Hi,

I think you should take it literally because that's exactly what it means - write me (a line). If you were going to use other forms of communication, you would say:

Email me/Phone me/Text me and so on, wouldn't you?

Alan
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English as a Foreign Language
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