foot-dragging
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of foot-dragging
First recorded in 1945–50; from the verb phrase drag one's feet
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.
The bureaucratic foot-dragging has to end so that America can do the same.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 15, 2026
As the first of the dead were laid to rest Wednesday, Jewish Australians said they felt unsafe, angry and frustrated at perceived government foot-dragging in confronting antisemitism.
From Barron's ● Dec. 17, 2025
"We need to see faster action from the government and not this foot-dragging... because if nature suffers then humanity suffers as well."
From BBC ● Jan. 19, 2025
The Jan. 5 ceremony was far from the tired, foot-dragging telecast that it was expected to be.
From Salon ● Jan. 6, 2025
Even some whites were bothered by the council’s foot-dragging.
From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
