drag down
Definition
Verb (transitive) 1. To pull or force someone or something downwards, often with effort or a heavy weight. 2. To cause someone or something to decline, deteriorate, or become less successful; to lower the standard, morale, or status.
Usage
The verb "drag down" is used with a direct object. It describes the action of physically pulling something down or, more commonly, the figurative action of causing a negative effect that reduces quality, performance, or spirit.
Examples
- Literal/Physical Sense:
- The strong current dragged the swimmer down.
- The weight of the wet snow dragged down the branches of the tree.
- Figurative Sense:
- His negative attitude is starting to drag down the whole team's morale.
- One underperforming student can drag down the class average.
- The scandal threatened to drag down the company's reputation.
Advanced Usage
- "to drag someone/something down to one's level": To cause someone to behave as badly as oneself or to reduce something to a lower standard.
- He was a good student, but his new friends dragged him down to their level.
- Used in economic or performance contexts:
- High inflation is dragging down consumer spending.
Variants and Related Words
- Drag (verb): To pull something along with effort. (e.g., )
- Weigh down (phrasal verb): To make something heavy or to burden someone. Often similar in figurative use. (e.g., )
- Pull down (phrasal verb): Can mean to demolish a structure or, figuratively, to reduce in status. (e.g., )
Synonyms
- Pull down
- Weigh down
- Depress (figurative)
- Lower (figurative)
- Demoralize (figurative, for morale)
Antonyms (Figurative Sense)
- Lift up
- Boost
- Elevate
- Inspire
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Drag on: To continue for an tediously long time.
- The meeting dragged on for hours.
- Drag out: To prolong something unnecessarily.
- They dragged out the negotiations.
Verb
-
exert a force with a heavy weight
-
The snow bore down on the roof
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