1 B1 idiomatic neutral
To continue for longer than is necessary or enjoyable, becoming tedious.
"The meeting dragged on for three hours with nothing resolved."
drag on
B1 neutral intransitive
To continue for much longer than expected or desired, in a tedious way.
In plain English
To go on for too long and become boring or tiring.
What does "drag on" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic neutral
Of a period of time or conflict, to continue indefinitely with no clear end in sight.
"The legal battle dragged on for years, costing both sides a fortune."
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To be pulled forward slowly, like something heavy being dragged along.
Actually means
To go on for too long and become boring or tiring.
Usage tip
Always implies a negative quality — a meeting, speech, or process that 'drags on' is boring or exhausting because of its length. Cannot be used positively.
Words that pair with "drag on"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
meeting speech negotiation war lecture process dispute
How to conjugate "drag on"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
drag on
I/you/we/they
3rd person
drags on
he/she/it
Past simple
draged on
yesterday
Past participle
draged on
have + pp
-ing form
draging on
continuous
Hear "drag on" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "drag on" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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