a drag

Idioms

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]

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"It becomes a drag when it's not from you."

From BBC • May 25, 2026

If bonds continue to fall, they would pose a drag on the classic portfolio of 60% stocks and 40% bonds.

From Barron's • May 21, 2026

“Going forward, Thailand’s tourism sector will remain a drag on growth as the geopolitical conflict persists,” ANZ said.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 15, 2026

But could missed payments due to soaring utility bills be a drag on scores?

From MarketWatch • Apr. 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

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023