a drag

Idioms  

1. A tedious experience, a bore, as in After several thousand times, signing your autograph can be a drag. This seemingly modern term was army slang during the Civil War. The allusion probably is to drag as something that impedes progress. [Colloquial; mid-1800s]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

a drag

"A more prolonged disruption of production and transport in the Middle East could lead to" higher inflation and a drag on growth, said Tenreyro.

From Barron's ● Oct. 13, 2026

He added that their use had stopped workers leaving to join other companies, or founding their own firms instead, adding: "I think that's a drag on innovation."

From BBC ● Oct. 9, 2026

Seven & i Holdings’ 3382 1.02%increase; up pointing triangle second-quarter net profit fell as its domestic business proved a drag despite stronger earnings at its North American business thanks to fuel sales.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2026

The stronger buck may be good news for Americans looking to travel abroad, but it can be a drag on U.S. companies whose products become more expensive for foreign buyers.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 25, 2026

“I’m on the Wilhelm Gustloff,” she said, taking a drag and passing it back to me.

From "Salt to the Sea" by Ruta Sepetys

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