drag on
DRAG ON
/dræɡ ɒn/
To continue for a long time in a dull or boring way.
Carries a negative connotation of tediousness and unnecessary length.
The story behind the word. This phrasal verb evokes the image of something heavy being pulled slowly across the ground, requiring great effort and moving at a snail's pace.
Word relationships
- linger: 'Linger' can be positive or neutral; 'drag on' is almost always negative.
- fly by: 'Fly by' means time passes quickly and usually pleasantly.
Commonly confused with
- prolong: 'Prolong' is an active verb (someone prolongs something); 'drag on' is intransitive (the event itself drags on).
Collocations
- dragged on for hours
- seemed to drag on
- dragged on indefinitely
Example sentences
- "The meeting dragged on for three hours, even though we had finished the main agenda in thirty minutes." Business meeting
- "The court case dragged on for years, exhausting the resources of everyone involved." Legal proceedings
Memory hook
Imagine a heavy chain being 'dragged' slowly across a floor. Heavy and slow, it won't let go.
When not to use
Do not use for something that is long but enjoyable (e.g., a good movie).
Fun facts
- This idiom is often used to describe winter months in colder climates.
Related words
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