drag on
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle on
Meanings
Continue for too long in a tedious way
Why “on”? Sliding forward along the surface. Motion that keeps going on and on.
“The meeting dragged on for hours.”
“The lecture dragged on until lunch.”
“The court case dragged on for months.”
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
call on
Same on pattern: continuation
Ask someone to do something formally
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; Try to start a romantic or sexual relationship with someone; 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
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