drag your feet
Meaning
To delay doing something on purpose; to act slowly or reluctantly to avoid a decision or action.
Origin
From the literal image of walking slowly by dragging oneโs feet, it became a metaphor for reluctance and intentional delay, recorded in English from the 1800s.
Notes
Often mildly critical: implies reluctance or intentional stalling, not just being slow. Used in everyday speech and business contexts (e.g., negotiations, decisions).
Examples
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Stop dragging your feet and submit the application today.
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The IT team is dragging its feet on the security update, and itโs putting us at risk.
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He dragged his feet about moving because he didnโt want to leave his friends.
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If we drag our feet on this contract, the client may walk away.
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She isnโt refusing outright, but she keeps dragging her feet whenever we bring up the plan.
Grammar & Usage Notes
Verb phrase: drag your feet (about/on/over + noun/gerund). Pronouns change (drag my/his/their feet). Tense/negation allowed (was dragging, stop dragging). Meaning is figurative.
Synonyms
- stall
- delay
- procrastinate
- drag one's heels
- slow-walk
Antonyms
- act promptly
- get a move on
- take action
- decide quickly