drag on
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle on
Meanings
Continue for too long in a tedious way
Why “on”? An action, event, state, or path continues or moves to a later point.
“The meeting dragged on for hours.”
“By noon, the lecture was still dragging on.”
“The court case dragged on, leaving both families exhausted.”
Don't confuse with
Drag on means continue for too long in a tedious way. Drag out means make something last longer than necessary.
Test yourself
“The meeting dragged on for hours.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
drag out
A contrast learners often mix up
Make something last longer than necessary
bring on
Same on pattern: continuation
Cause something, especially an illness or feeling, to start; Help someone or something develop or improve
carry on
Same on pattern: continuation
Continue doing something; Behave in a silly, loud or annoying way; Have a romantic affair, often secretly
catch on
Same on pattern: continuation
Become popular or fashionable; Begin to understand something
come on
Same on pattern: continuation
Used to encourage, hurry or challenge someone; Begin to develop, especially an illness or weather; Start working or be turned on; Make progress or improve; Show romantic or sexual interest in someone, often in a direct way; Be broadcast on television or radio
crack on
Same on pattern: continuation
Continue working hard, often after a break
drone on
Same on pattern: continuation
Talk for a long time in a boring, monotonous voice
get on
Same on pattern: continuation
Board a bus, train or plane; Have a good relationship; Make progress with a task; Manage to dress yourself in; Be growing old; Continue with a task without delay
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