Definition

Verb (idiomatic phrase): - To act slowly, reluctantly, or with deliberate delay, especially regarding a task or duty one is obligated to perform. It implies a lack of enthusiasm or a desire to avoid taking action.

Usage

This phrase is used to describe someone who is intentionally stalling or being slow to act, often because they are unwilling or resistant to the required action. It is commonly used in informal and formal contexts to criticize or note a lack of progress.

Examples

• Basic Usage:
  • The committee is dragging its feet on the new environmental regulations.
  • If you keep dragging your feet, we'll miss the application deadline.

Advanced Usage

• "to be dragging one's feet": Describes the ongoing state of delay.
  • Management has been dragging its feet on approving the budget for months.

Variants and Related Words

• Procrastinate (verb): To delay or postpone action.
  • He tends to procrastinate when faced with a difficult task.
• Stall (verb): To stop making progress or to delay.
  • They tried to stall the negotiations.

Synonyms

• Delay
• Procrastinate
• Stall
• Dawdle

Related Idioms

• "Drag one's heels": This is a direct synonym with identical meaning and usage.
  • The government is dragging its heels on the proposed reforms.

Verb

1. postpone doing what one should be doing
   • He did not want to write the letter and procrastinated for days