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
Bissell CrossWave OmniForce Cordless Wet Dry Vacuum Forget dragging out a mop and a vacuum to clean your floors—this cordless Bissell wet dry vacuum is the best of both worlds.
—
Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 6 Oct. 2025
This is not something that can drag out.
—Quinn Scanlan, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2025
This way, three of Newcastle’s four zonal defenders around the near post and central area are dragged out of position, leaving Livramento (black) in a one-versus-two situation.
—Ahmed Walid, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
Some residents say the process is still being dragged out.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for drag out
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Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 6 Oct. 2025
This is not something that can drag out.
—Quinn Scanlan, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2025
This way, three of Newcastle’s four zonal defenders around the near post and central area are dragged out of position, leaving Livramento (black) in a one-versus-two situation.
—Ahmed Walid, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
Some residents say the process is still being dragged out.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 26 Sep. 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 12 Oct. 2025.
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