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
Republicans were intent on dragging out the debate.
—
Seth Klamann, The Denver Post, 21 Feb. 2025
Pouchet dragged out the proceedings, demanding more time for his research.
—Carl Zimmer, New York Times, 17 Feb. 2025
After nearly six years without significant movement in the case, the families recently filed court documents alleging the state was intentionally dragging out the proceedings and had failed to turn over evidence critical to their claim.
—Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 15 Feb. 2025
With an unforgivable 131-minute running time, The Kissing Booth 2 drags out Elle’s meaningless temptation by hot new transfer student Marco (Taylor Zakhar Perez), who serenades her on the beach by apparently pulling a guitar out of thin air.
—Josh Bell, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for drag out
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Seth Klamann, The Denver Post, 21 Feb. 2025
Pouchet dragged out the proceedings, demanding more time for his research.
—Carl Zimmer, New York Times, 17 Feb. 2025
After nearly six years without significant movement in the case, the families recently filed court documents alleging the state was intentionally dragging out the proceedings and had failed to turn over evidence critical to their claim.
—Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 15 Feb. 2025
With an unforgivable 131-minute running time, The Kissing Booth 2 drags out Elle’s meaningless temptation by hot new transfer student Marco (Taylor Zakhar Perez), who serenades her on the beach by apparently pulling a guitar out of thin air.
—Josh Bell, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for drag out
Cite this Entry
“Drag out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/drag%20out. Accessed 28 Feb. 2025.
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