drag
drag — verb
- dragpresent simple I / you / we / they
- dragshe / she / it
- draggedpast simple
- dragging-ing form
1. to pull something heavy or unwilling across a surface, especially the ground, wi
to pull something heavy or unwilling across a surface, especially the ground, with effort and often slowly
Eli dragged the heavy suitcase across the hotel lobby toward the lift.
drag + object + across [surface]
The movers had to drag the old sofa down three flights of stairs.
A big branch was dragging along the ground behind the truck.
drag along the ground (intransitive)
Naoko dragged the garden chair back under the shade of the tree.
The child dragged a torn blanket behind her all the way to the park.
- drag a suitcase
- drag a chair
- drag a body
- drag across the floor
- drag along the ground
- push
opposite direction of force
Grammar Patterns
drag + object + along/across/over (surface)
Usage Note
Often implies the object is heavy or causing friction. A preposition of direction (along, across, over, through) is typically needed to complete the meaning.
Common Mistakes
2. to make somebody come with you to a place or join an activity against their wish
to make somebody come with you to a place or join an activity against their wishes, often by physical effort or firm encouragement
Putri dragged her brother to the museum even though he wanted to stay home.
drag + someone + to + [place] (unwillingly)
The teacher dragged the sleepy students out of the classroom for fresh air.
Bilal dragged himself out of bed at five in the morning to catch his flight.
drag oneself (reluctant personal effort)
Amira did not want to go to the party, but her friends dragged her along.
Jabari dragged the unwilling witness into the courtroom to give evidence.
- drag someone to
- drag oneself to
- drag someone along
- drag someone away
Grammar Patterns
drag + someone + to/into/out of/away from + place
Usage Note
Subject is usually a person or social pressure. Frequently used reflexively (drag oneself) to express reluctance overcoming laziness or fatigue.
3. to reposition a digital item, such as an image or a file, by holding down a mous
to reposition a digital item, such as an image or a file, by holding down a mouse button while moving the pointer across the display
Gita dragged the photo into a new folder on her desktop.
drag + [file/icon] + into + [folder]
You can drag the map with your finger on a phone screen.
Anna dragged the song onto her playlist by holding the touchscreen.
To resize the box, drag the small square in the corner.
imperative: drag + object to perform action
Olivia dragged the document icon across the screen to the trash bin.
- drag a file
- drag an icon
- drag and drop
- drag with the mouse
Grammar Patterns
drag + object + to + location
Usage Note
Common in software tutorials and instructions. Often used in the imperative form. Passive construction (can be dragged) is frequent in user guides.
Common Mistakes
4. to relocate an item between two areas of a digital interface by pressing a mouse
to relocate an item between two areas of a digital interface by pressing a mouse button, sliding the item, and releasing it at the target spot
You can drag and drop the images to rearrange your photo album.
drag and drop + object + infinitive of purpose
Mauricio dragged and dropped the spreadsheet cells into the chart.
The app lets you drag and drop contacts from your address book.
Just drag and drop the file onto the printer icon to start printing.
imperative: drag and drop + onto + [object]
Children can drag and drop puzzle pieces into the correct spots.
- drag and drop files
- drag and drop feature
- drag and drop interface
- drag and drop onto
Grammar Patterns
drag and drop + object + onto/into/to + location
Usage Note
This is a fixed compound verb — 'drag and drop' always appears as a pair. Can be used transitively (drag and drop the file) or intransitively (the feature lets you drag and drop).
5. to start talking about a matter that has little connection to the current discus
to start talking about a matter that has little connection to the current discussion and is usually unwelcome
Eve dragged the argument about money into every family dinner.
drag + topic + into + [situation]
Why do you always drag politics into a friendly chat about food?
The reporter tried to drag the star's personal life into the interview.
Aylin begged her father not to drag her exam results into the lunch conversation.
drag + [personal matter] + into + [social event]
The old argument was dragged back into the meeting, and nobody was happy about it.
passive: be dragged into [discussion]
- drag politics into
- drag the past into
- drag someone's name into
- drag an argument into
- avoid
deliberately not discussing
Grammar Patterns
drag + subject/name + into + conversation/discussion/debate
Usage Note
Usually implies the topic is unwelcome or irrelevant. The object is often an abstract noun (politics, money, religion, the past). Frequently used in the passive ('be dragged into').
6. to pass fishing gear or a search apparatus through the water, keeping it against
to pass fishing gear or a search apparatus through the water, keeping it against the riverbed or seabed, in order to recover items or catch fish
The fishermen dragged their nets across the river for hours but caught nothing.
drag + net + across + [body of water] + for + [purpose]
Police dragged the pond for evidence after the accident.
The crew dragged a heavy hook along the lake floor to find the lost anchor.
Eliska watched the boat drag a large net through the shallow water near the shore.
drag + [equipment] + through + [water body]
The police divers dragged the harbour for the missing phone, but the water was too deep.
- drag a net
- drag a river
- drag for
- drag the bottom
Grammar Patterns
drag + object (net/hook) + for + something
drag + body of water + for + something
Usage Note
The object is either the equipment (net, hook) or the body of water being searched. 'Drag for' is the most common pattern when the target is the item being sought.
7. to lightly hit a pitched ball along the ground while already running toward firs
to lightly hit a pitched ball along the ground while already running toward first base
Lakan dragged the ball down the third-base line and easily reached first base.
collocation: drag the ball down [the line]
The Mariners' first baseman tried to drag a bunt past the pitcher but missed.
collocation: drag a bunt
With a runner on third, the coach signaled for Haruto to drag the next pitch.
Élise practised dragging the ball toward second base every day after practice.
collocation: dragging toward [base]
A left-handed batter can often drag a bunt past a slow-footed pitcher.
- drag a bunt
- drag the ball
- drag down the line
- drag toward [base]
- drag past [fielder]
- swing
normal full-arm hitting motion, opposite of a bunt
Grammar Patterns
drag + noun phrase (the ball / a bunt)
Usage Note
Only used in baseball. The object is usually 'the ball' or 'a bunt.' Frequently paired with a directional phrase such as 'down the line' or 'past the pitcher.'
Common Mistakes
8. to unfold so slowly that the audience or participants become bored — used of fil
to unfold so slowly that the audience or participants become bored — used of films, speeches, performances, or meetings that lack interest
The lecture dragged on for nearly three hours without a single break.
phrasal verb: drag on
Anjali thought the second act of the play dragged terribly.
collocation: play drags / film drags
The meeting dragged until everyone agreed to continue the next day.
When a film drags, even a short ninety minutes feels like an endless ordeal.
The trial dragged through the summer, exhausting everyone involved.
collocation: trial drags through [time period]
- drag on
- drag for [time period]
- drags terribly
- film drags
- meeting drags
- lecture drags
- trial drags
- go on too long
everyday expression; less specific about the boredom element
- wear on
similar meaning, often with a tiring or irritating connotation
- fly by
time passes quickly and pleasantly
- speed along
event progresses fast, opposite of dragging
Grammar Patterns
drag (on / for [time])
Usage Note
Intransitive — no direct object follows. Often appears with the particle 'on' as a phrasal verb ('drag on'). The subject is typically a scheduled event: a film, lecture, meeting, performance, or trial.
Common Mistakes
drag by
phrasal verbTo pass slowly, especially when time seems to move very slowly.
The afternoon dragged by while I waited for the test results.
Time dragged by during the long, boring lecture.
drag down
phrasal verbTo make someone less successful, happy, or healthy.
His constant negativity dragged down the whole team's morale.
Don't let one bad grade drag down your confidence.
drag in
phrasal verbTo introduce a subject or person into a conversation when it is not necessary or wanted.
Why did you drag my name into your argument?
The speaker dragged in irrelevant statistics to support his point.
drag into
phrasal verbTo force someone to become involved in a situation they want to avoid.
I was dragged into a dispute between my two friends.
The company was dragged into a legal battle over the contract.
drag on
phrasal verbTo continue for too long, especially in a boring or unpleasant way.
The meeting dragged on for three hours without any decisions.
The war dragged on for years, causing much suffering.
drag out
phrasal verbTo make something last longer than necessary.
The lawyer dragged out the trial with endless objections.
Don't drag out your goodbye; just leave quickly.
drag out of
phrasal verbTo force someone to tell you something they do not want to say.
The police dragged a confession out of the suspect after hours of questioning.
I finally dragged the truth out of my brother about the broken vase.
drag up
phrasal verbTo mention an unpleasant subject from the past that people have forgotten or want to forget.
Why did you drag up that old argument again?
The journalist dragged up the scandal from ten years ago.
drag your feet/heels
idiomTo do something very slowly on purpose, especially because you do not want to do it.
The committee is dragging its feet on approving the new budget.
Why are you dragging your heels about signing the contract?
To say bad and unfair things about someone in public, harming their reputation.
The journalist dragged the politician's name through the mud.
They feel their company has been dragged through the dirt by false rumors.
To force someone to do something they really do not want to do, despite their strong protests.
The manager had to be dragged kicking and screaming to the training session.
Maya was dragged kicking and screaming into the family business.
To improve your situation through your own efforts, without help from others.
He pulled himself up by his bootstraps and became a successful entrepreneur.
Sara dragged herself up by her own bootstraps after losing her job.
drag — noun
- dragsingular
- dragsplural
1. something that makes a situation feel slow and boring, often spoiling your enjoy
something that makes a situation feel slow and boring, often spoiling your enjoyment of it
The long flight delay was a real drag for everyone waiting at the gate.
collocation: 'a real drag' for emphasis
Having to fill out all those forms again is such a drag.
pattern: 'such a drag' with uncountable-singular noun
For Sora, doing housework on Sunday was always a bit of a drag.
Christopher finds the weekly team meeting a drag because it never covers anything new.
- a real drag
- such a drag
- a bit of a drag
- a total drag
- a complete drag
- pleasure
something that brings enjoyment, the opposite of a drag
Grammar Patterns
be a drag
such a drag
a bit of a drag
Usage Note
Almost always used in the singular with the indefinite article 'a' — you would not say 'drags' to mean boring things.
Common Mistakes
2. a physical force that pushes against something moving through air or water, maki
a physical force that pushes against something moving through air or water, making it go slower
The car's smooth shape helps reduce drag and improves fuel efficiency.
collocation: 'reduce drag'
Swimmers wear special fabric suits to cut down on drag in the water.
Aeroplanes are designed with curved wings to lower air drag during flight.
collocation: 'air drag'
The engineers measured the drag on the boat at different speeds across the lake.
- air drag
- wind drag
- water drag
- reduce drag
- lower drag
- create drag
- drag force
- resistance
broader term — includes air resistance, water resistance; 'drag' is a specific type of resistance in fluid dynamics
- friction
related but distinct — friction occurs between solid surfaces, while drag happens in fluids
Grammar Patterns
reduce drag
create drag
air drag
wind drag
Usage Note
Frequently used in technical and engineering contexts. When 'drag' is used as a scientific term, it is never pluralised and never takes an article.
Common Mistakes
3. a single act of pulling smoke from a cigarette into your mouth
a single act of pulling smoke from a cigarette into your mouth
Nikhil took a long drag on his cigarette and then blew the smoke upwards.
phrase: 'take a drag on [cigarette]'
Emily took one last drag before putting out her cigarette in the ashtray.
Each drag brought a sharp taste of burnt tobacco that made Gabriel cough.
Yuna took a quick drag and passed the cigarette to her friend beside her.
pattern: 'quick drag' for a short inhalation
- take a drag
- have a drag
- long drag
- quick drag
- last drag
Grammar Patterns
take a drag
have a drag
Usage Note
Usually occurs in the phrase 'take a drag (on something)' or 'have a drag'. The count noun is almost always singular — you would rarely say 'three drags' outside of careful measurement.
Common Mistakes
4. a stage show where performers dress as the opposite gender, using exaggerated ma
a stage show where performers dress as the opposite gender, using exaggerated makeup, wigs, and clothing for dramatic effect
The club hosts a drag show every Saturday night with live singing.
collocation: 'drag show'
Eve went to see her first drag performance at a theatre in the city centre.
collocation: 'drag performance'
Drag has become much more visible on television shows in recent years.
Amira watched a documentary about the history of drag and its cultural impact.
- drag show
- drag queen
- drag king
- drag performance
- drag culture
- in drag
- cross-dressing
broader term for wearing clothes of the opposite gender, not necessarily for entertainment or in exaggerated style
- female impersonation
more specific to men performing as women, but less common in modern usage
Grammar Patterns
drag show
drag queen
drag performance
in drag
Usage Note
As an uncountable noun describing an art form or activity, it takes no article. Used with compound nouns like 'drag queen' (a male performer who dresses as a woman in exaggerated style) and 'drag king' (a female performer who dresses as a man).
Common Mistakes
5. the collection of clothes, wigs, makeup, jewellery and other items that a drag p
the collection of clothes, wigs, makeup, jewellery and other items that a drag performer wears on stage
Selim helped his friend put on her drag before the evening performance started.
phrase: 'put on drag' — putting on the costume
The performer keeps all her drag in a large suitcase with wheels.
Reema spent weeks designing new drag for the upcoming competition.
The costume shop sells wigs and makeup specially for drag performers.
- in drag
- put on drag
- wear drag
- design drag
- drag costume
- drag outfit
- costume
more general term for any theatrical outfit; 'drag' specifically refers to cross-gender performance wear
Grammar Patterns
in drag
put on drag
wear drag
Usage Note
Distinguish from sense 4: sense 5 refers to the physical items (clothes, wigs, makeup), while sense 4 refers to the performance activity itself. 'In drag' (wearing the costume) is a very common fixed phrase.
Common Mistakes
drag — adjective
- dragpositive
- draggercomparative
- draggestsuperlative
1. relating to a type of entertainment in which performers wear clothes, makeup, an
relating to a type of entertainment in which performers wear clothes, makeup, and wigs associated with a different gender, often in a playful or exaggerated manner.
Reuben went to a drag show for the first time with his college classmates.
drag + noun describing a type of event
The library invited a drag queen to read stories during Children's Book Week.
drag + noun describing a performer
Minh's cousin has been a drag performer in Bangkok for nearly eight years.
Yael bought tickets for a drag brunch to celebrate her sister's birthday.
drag + noun describing a themed event
A new drag festival that started last summer draws performers from twelve countries.
- drag queen
- drag king
- drag show
- drag performer
- drag brunch
- drag festival
- drag culture
- cross-dressing
broader and less tied to performance; can refer to any instance of wearing clothes of another gender
- camp
overlaps in theatrical exaggeration but does not specifically involve gender-crossing
Grammar Patterns
drag + noun
Usage Note
Always placed before the noun it modifies. This adjective is used specifically in the context of drag performance culture, not for general cross-dressing.
Common Mistakes
drag — collocation
1. to force yourself to go to a place or attend an event, even though you feel too
to force yourself to go to a place or attend an event, even though you feel too tired, uninterested, or reluctant to do so.
After working twelve hours, Selim dragged himself to the gym for a quick workout.
drag yourself to [place] when reluctant
Putri dragged herself to the family dinner even though she did not want to go.
Even with a bad cold, Ilan dragged himself to the office to finish the report.
drag yourself to [place] despite illness
Every morning, Anjali drags herself out of bed before the sun comes up.
Despite the freezing rain, Tuan dragged himself to the library to study for his exam.
drag yourself to [place] against reluctance
- drag yourself to
- drag yourself out of
- drag yourself through
- drag yourself back to
- drag yourself off to
- force yourself
more direct and stronger; does not imply reluctance as clearly
- push yourself
often suggests overcoming fear or doubt, not just tiredness
- make yourself
more general; can be used without a sense of effort or reluctance
Grammar Patterns
drag + yourself + [adverb/preposition + destination]
Usage Note
The adverb or preposition phrase after yourself is essential — you cannot simply say 'I dragged myself' without stating where or in what direction. This pattern is common with daily routines (drag yourself to work, out of bed, through a task) to express a sense of obligation or perseverance.
Common Mistakes
2. to make a strong effort to leave a difficult, unpleasant, or dangerous situation
to make a strong effort to leave a difficult, unpleasant, or dangerous situation, relationship, or environment.
Christopher finally dragged himself away from the boring party and went home.
drag yourself away from [unpleasant place]
It took months of therapy for Amira to drag herself away from the toxic friendship.
drag yourself away from [toxic relationship]
Vivek dragged himself away from the video games just in time for his online class.
Jisoo dragged herself away from her dead-end job to start her own business.
drag yourself away from [bad situation]
Valentina dragged herself away from the smoky campsite and walked to the warm cabin.
- drag yourself away from
- finally drag yourself away
- drag yourself away to
- manage to drag yourself away
- pull yourself away
very similar, but 'pull' can also be physical; 'drag' emphasizes greater reluctance
- tear yourself away
stronger emotional attachment to what you are leaving
- extricate yourself
formal register; implies a complicated or difficult escape
Grammar Patterns
drag + yourself + away + from + [bad place, situation, relationship, or habit]
Usage Note
The phrase 'away from' is required when the source of difficulty is named. When the source is clear from context, you may omit it (as in example 4: 'dragged herself away to start her own business'). This collocation often appears with time expressions (finally, it took [time]) to highlight how difficult it was to leave.
Common Mistakes
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: verb/1
All four words describe moving something toward you or along a surface, but they differ in effort, duration, and smoothness. 'Pull' is the general, neutral term — you can pull a door, a rope, or a tooth, with no implication of difficulty ('He pulled the door open'). 'Drag' specifically means pulling something heavy or unwilling across a surface, often with friction or resistance ('She dragged the suitcase across the gravel'). 'Haul' emphasizes sustained strength over a long distance or against great resistance, often for heavy loads ('They hauled the net full of fish onto the deck'). 'Tug' is a short, sharp, single effort — it is quick, not sustained ('The child tugged at his mother's sleeve'). 'Draw' is more formal or literary, often suggesting a smooth, controlled pulling motion ('She drew the curtain across the window'). In everyday speech, choose 'pull' for most situations; use 'drag' when the object is heavy or reluctant, and 'tug' for a single, brief motion.
Common collocations
Etymology
Drag comes from Middle English 'draggen', which developed from Old English 'dragan' meaning 'to draw, pull'. This Germanic root is related to Dutch 'dragen' and German 'tragen' (to carry). The core physical sense of pulling something heavy across a surface has remained stable since Old English times. By the 19th century, the verb had developed the figurative sense of 'time passing slowly' (drag on). The noun meaning 'a boring person or thing' emerged in the 1930s in informal American slang. The theatrical term 'drag' (clothing and performance associated with a different gender) has uncertain origins — possibly from 19th-century British theatre slang where the trailing skirts of female costumes were said to 'drag' across the stage, or from the Romani word 'drago' (spirit). The computing sense of moving items on screen dates from the 1980s graphical user interface era.