drag out

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Definition
  1. Verb (transitive and intransitive):
    • To cause something to last longer than is necessary, desired, or expected, often making it tedious or boring.
    • To extend the duration of an event, process, or discussion unnecessarily.
Usage
  • This verb is often used to describe situations where time seems to pass slowly because an activity is uninteresting, overly detailed, or deliberately prolonged.
  • It can be used both with an object (e.g., drag out a meeting) and without one (e.g., the meeting dragged out).
Examples
  • Transitive use (with an object):
    • The lawyer tried to drag out the cross-examination to exhaust the witness.
    • Let's not drag out this decision any longer; we need to act now.
  • Intransitive use (often with "on"):
    • The negotiations dragged out for several more weeks without any progress.
    • His story dragged on and on, and I nearly fell asleep.
Advanced Usage
  • "to drag something out of someone": This is a different phrasal verb meaning to force someone to give information, often reluctantly. It is listed here as an advanced, distinct usage.
    • The journalist finally dragged the truth out of the reluctant official.
Variants and Related Words
  • Drag on (phrasal verb): A near-synonymous intransitive form, emphasizing continuous, tedious length.
    • The winter seemed to drag on forever.
  • Prolong (verb): To extend the duration of something, often without the negative connotation of boredom.
  • Protract (verb): To draw out or lengthen in time, especially unnecessarily (more formal).
Synonyms
  • Lengthen unnecessarily
  • Prolong
  • Protract
  • Spin out
  • Draw out
Related Phrasal Verbs
  • Drag on: To continue slowly and tediously. (As shown in examples and variants).
  • Drag out (as defined above).
Related Idioms
  • Make a meal of something: (British English idiom) To take more time or effort over something than is necessary.
    • He really made a meal of telling that simple story. (Similar in meaning to dragging it out).
Verb
  1. proceed for an extended period of time
    • The speech dragged on for two hours
  2. last unnecessarily long

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