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

After joining, Narvekar sold off illiquid investments at discounts, a drag on the endowment’s returns for years.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 16, 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

For Oakley, being a drag king is about challenging masculinity rather than impersonating someone, which is what older male impersonators have traditionally done.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 30, 2026

The lack of home buying has been a drag on the U.S economy the past few years, but not enough to really slow it down.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 29, 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