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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Alessia Russo converted one at the far post, lingering deep when Real’s right-back, Sheila Garcia, got dragged out of position. Michael Cox, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025 On top of that, the show drags out over eight episodes and features a parade of flat, dull characters. Aja Romano, Vox, 21 Mar. 2025 Employers may face hefty fines for employing workers without authorization, but in other cases, workers are placed in removal proceedings while employers face minimal or no fines as investigations drag out. Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 28 Feb. 2025 While being dragged out, Dr. Borrenpohl bit one of her assailants. Ross Rosenfeld, Newsweek, 26 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for drag out

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Cite this Entry

“Drag out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/drag%20out. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.

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