drag out
phrasal verb
dragged out; dragging out; drags out
1
: to cause (something) to take more time than necessary
He dragged out the speech much too long.
2
: to force (something, such as a confession) from (someone) : to make (someone) tell one (something)
The teacher eventually dragged a confession out of one of the students.
Doctors sometimes have to drag information out of their patients.
Examples of drag out in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In 2000, a famously close race and legal challenges dragged out the process — things likely to affect this year's cycle.
—
Rachel Barber, The Indianapolis Star, 6 Nov. 2024
In 2000, a famously close race and legal challenges dragged out the process.
—Rachel Barber, USA TODAY, 4 Nov. 2024
One lookalike appeared to be arrested and dragged out in handcuffs.
—Sakshi Venkatraman, NBC News, 27 Oct. 2024
Vote counting delays due to mail-in or absentee voting are also expected to drag out the declaration of winners in key swing states.
—Hans Nichols, Axios, 29 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for drag out 
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Rachel Barber, The Indianapolis Star, 6 Nov. 2024
In 2000, a famously close race and legal challenges dragged out the process.
—Rachel Barber, USA TODAY, 4 Nov. 2024
One lookalike appeared to be arrested and dragged out in handcuffs.
—Sakshi Venkatraman, NBC News, 27 Oct. 2024
Vote counting delays due to mail-in or absentee voting are also expected to drag out the declaration of winners in key swing states.
—Hans Nichols, Axios, 29 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for drag out
Dictionary Entries Near drag out
Cite this Entry
“Drag out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/drag%20out. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
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