Pronunciation: [dɹˈaɡ ˈa͡ʊt] (IPA) 
The phrase "drag out" is pronounced /dræɡ aʊt/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable, "drag," is spelled with the letters "d," "r," "a," and "g," and is pronounced with a short "a" sound. The second syllable, "out," is spelled with the letters "o" and "u," and is pronounced with a diphthong sound that combines "a" and "o." The phrase means to prolong or extend something that should have been finished earlier.
Drag out is a phrasal verb that can have several meanings depending on the context. One definition of drag out is to prolong or lengthen something unnecessarily or excessively. When used in this way, it refers to making an event or process last longer than what is considered reasonable or necessary. For example, a meeting can be dragged out if participants unnecessarily repeat the same points or engage in lengthy discussions that do not contribute to the main agenda. Similarly, a task can be dragged out if someone takes an excessive amount of time to complete it without valid reasons.
Another meaning of drag out is to forcefully or unwillingly bring something into the open or public eye. This usage implies the act of exposing or revealing information or a secret that was intended to remain hidden or private. For instance, a journalist might drag out a scandal by gathering evidence and publicizing it, thereby bringing it to the attention of a wider audience.
In a physical sense, drag out can also refer to pulling someone or something with effort, causing resistance or friction. For example, if a person is caught in a dangerous situation, they may need to be dragged out of harm's way by a rescuer.
Overall, "drag out" generally means to unnecessarily lengthen or prolong something, forcefully reveal information, or physically pull with difficulty. The specific meaning is determined by the context in which the term is used.
The term "drag out" is derived from two separate words: "drag" and "out".
The word "drag" has its origins in Old Norse "draga", which means "to pull, draw, or haul". It entered the English language through Middle English and has been used to describe the act of pulling or moving anything along a surface.
On the other hand, the word "out" has its roots in Old English, where it was spelled "ūt" and meant "outside" or "from the outside".
When these two words are combined, "drag out" indicates the action of pulling or extending something, often over an extended period or more than necessary. This phrase is often used to describe a situation where something is prolonged or tedious.
