drag one's heels

Học thuật
Thân thiện
Definition

Verb (Phrasal Verb): - To delay or be slow to act, especially because one is reluctant, unwilling, or resistant to doing something.

Usage

This phrasal verb is used to describe a situation where someone intentionally takes a long time to do something they are supposed to do, often by acting slowly or creating unnecessary delays. It implies a lack of enthusiasm or a deliberate attempt to postpone action.

Examples
  • The management is dragging its heels on implementing the new safety regulations.
  • If you keep dragging your heels on this project, we'll miss the deadline.
  • She dragged her heels about signing the contract because she had doubts about the terms.
Advanced Usage
  • "to drag one's feet": This is a common variant with the same meaning.
    • The committee has been dragging its feet on making a final decision.
Variants and Related Words
  • Procrastinate (verb): To delay or postpone action; to put off doing something.
    • He tends to procrastinate when faced with a difficult task.
  • Stall (verb): To stop or cause to stop making progress.
    • They tried to stall the negotiations.
Synonyms
  • Delay
  • Dawdle
  • Stall
  • Procrastinate
Related Phrasal Verbs
  • Hold off (on something): To delay doing something.
    • They decided to hold off on the announcement until next week.
Related Idioms
  • "Foot-dragging" (noun): The action of delaying or being slow to act.
    • The foot-dragging by the council is frustrating everyone involved.
Verb
  1. postpone doing what one should be doing
    • He did not want to write the letter and procrastinated for days

Từ đồng nghĩa