ENGLISH
REFERENCE

drag the chain

idiom
Meaning

To fall behind relative to others.


Origin

disputed origin

The term stems from the railway industry when chains and hooks connected the carriages or goods trucks. If the rear chain came loose from the secured position, it would then drag on the ground slowing progress.

Examples
SIMPLE

Don't drag the chain while we walk to the store.

CONTEXTUAL

The team missed the deadline because two members continued to drag the chain on their tasks.

COMPLEX

If the department continues to drag the chain during this transition, the company will likely lose its competitive advantage in the global market.

Anchors to
Related idioms7entries
  1. 01

    drag ass

    To move slowly, or lag behind.

  2. 02

    drag on

    To last too long.

  3. 03

    drag one's balls across

    To exert extreme, often aggressive, power or control over; dominate.

  4. 04

    drag one's feet

    To procrastinate, put off; to dawdle, avoid, or make progress slowly and reluctantly.

  5. 05

    drag through the mud

    To tarnish or spoil enough so that something or someone is no longer respectable.

  6. 06

    food chain

    A hierarchy.

  7. 07

    yank someone's chain

    To tease someone; to lead someone on; to goad someone into overreacting.

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