drag one's feet — to delay or be deliberately slow in doing something, especially to avoid or postpone action
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to delay or be deliberately slow in doing something, especially to avoid or postpone action
Pronunciation (IPA): /dræɡ wʌnz fit/
Example Sentences
- The government has been dragging its feet on climate action for years.
- My teenager drags her feet every morning when I tell her to get ready for school.
- He's been dragging his feet about proposing because he's scared of commitment.
drag one's feet
VERB[/dræɡ wʌnz fit/]
to delay or be deliberately slow in doing something, especially to avoid or postpone action
He drags his feet on cleaning his room, hoping his mom forgets.
Drag your feet to the meet, but you can't beat the beat!
Got the picture? Now let's practice.
🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
This idiomatic expression originated from the literal image of walking slowly while dragging one's feet along the ground. By the 18th century, it had evolved metaphorically to mean 'to delay' or 'to act reluctantly', transferring the physical sluggishness to reluctance in action.
Breakdown
drag (to pull or haul) + feet (plural of foot, the body part). The phrase combines the verb and object to create a vivid physical image that metaphorically represents unwillingness or procrastination.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The government has been dragging its feet on climate action for years.”
“My teenager drags her feet every morning when I tell her to get ready for school.”
“He's been dragging his feet about proposing because he's scared of commitment.”
“The company is dragging its feet on the salary raise, hoping employees will forget about it.”
“Stop dragging your feet and choose a restaurant - I'm starving!”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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