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| v. dragged, drag·ging, drags v. tr. 1. To pull along with difficulty or effort; haul: dragged the heavy box out of the way. See Synonyms at pull. 2. To cause to trail along a surface, especially the ground: Don't drag your coat in the mud. 3. Computers a. To move (a pointing device, such as a mouse) while pressing down on one of its buttons. b. To move (an element of a graphical display) on a computer screen using a pointing device. 4. a. To cause to move with great effort: dragged himself into the doctor's office. b. To take or escort (a person, for example), especially in overcoming resistance or reluctance: dragged my father to the reception. c. To cause to be involved in an unpleasant or difficult situation: Why did you drag me into this mess? d. To force or bring out with great effort: dragged the truth out of the reluctant witness. 5. To mention or introduce (an unpleasant or tedious subject): dragged up that embarrassing incident; is always dragging his money problems into the conversation. 6. a. To search or sweep the bottom of (a body of water), as with a grappling hook or dragnet: dragged the river looking for the suitcase. b. To bring up or catch by such means. 7. To prolong tediously: dragged the story out. 8. Baseball To hit (a bunt) while taking the first steps toward first base. 9. To break up, rake, or smooth out (land or dirt), especially by pulling a drag or heavy mesh: dragged the infield between innings. 10. Informal To humiliate or shame publicly, especially on social media: “Unknown Actor Gets Dragged by Twitter for Being the World's Worst Date” (Allure). v. intr. 1. To trail along the ground: The dog's leash dragged on the sidewalk. 2. To move slowly or with effort: He dragged along behind us. 3. To pass or proceed slowly, tediously, or laboriously: The time dragged as we waited. 4. To search or dredge the bottom of a body of water: dragging for the sunken craft. 5. To take part in a drag race. 6. To draw on a cigarette, pipe, or cigar. n. 1. a. Something, such as a harrow or an implement for spreading manure, that is dragged along the ground. b. A device, such as a grappling hook, that is used for dragging under water. c. A heavy sledge or cart for hauling loads. d. A large four-horse coach with seats inside and on top. 2. a. Something, such as a sea anchor or a brake on a fishing reel, that retards motion. b. One that impedes or slows progress; a drawback or burden: the drag of taxation on economic growth. 3. a. The degree of resistance involved in dragging or hauling. b. The retarding force exerted on a moving body by a fluid medium such as air or water. 4. The act of dragging, especially a slow, laborious movement. 5. a. The scent or trail of a fox or another animal. b. Something that provides an artificial scent. 6. Slang One that is obnoxiously tiresome: The evening was a real drag. 7. A puff on a cigarette, pipe, or cigar. 8. Slang A street or road: the town's main drag. 9. The clothing characteristic of one sex when worn by a member of the opposite sex: an actor in drag. adj. Idiom: Of, relating to, or being a person wearing clothing characteristic of the opposite sex: a drag performer; a drag show. drag (one's) feet (or heels) To act or work with intentional slowness; delay. [Middle English draggen, from Old Norse draga or variant of Middle English drawen; see DRAW. Noun, sense 9, and adjective, probably originally 19th-century British theatrical slang, perhaps in reference to the full, trailing skirts characteristic of feminine dress at the time.].] |
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