drag away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "drag away" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the action of pulling or removing someone or something from a place, often against their will. Example: "The security personnel had to drag away the unruly fan from the stage."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

"He's not an animal to drag away like that".

The New York Times

They plunder coffins and drag away precious headstones.

The New York Times

Lying at home, he hears the cops drag away a neighbour without any specific charge.

The Guardian - Film

One mother arrived to drag away her teenage son, fearing he might be hurt.

The New York Times

She helped him drag away the tree limb and they hoped no one would notice.

The Guardian - Books

On Saturday, the demonstrations turned violent when riot police fired tear gas and began to beat and drag away protesters.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

He mimed being dragged away.

The New York Times

Some are dragged away, like torture victims.

The New York Times - Arts

The President nods, and the Deputy Minister is dragged away.

The New Yorker

"They certainly will be dragged away and beaten.

Independent

Within minutes they were beaten, arrested and dragged away.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing abstract concepts that are holding someone back, using "drag away" can provide a vivid image.

Common error

Avoid using "drag away" in passive voice when the actor is unknown or unimportant. Instead, rephrase to focus on the subject being acted upon or use a different verb.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "drag away" functions as a dynamic verb describing an action of forceful or reluctant removal. Ludwig confirms that it is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrasal verb "drag away" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a forceful or reluctant removal, as determined by Ludwig. It frequently appears in news and media contexts, carrying a neutral tone. While alternatives such as ""pull away"" or ""remove forcefully"" exist, "drag away" specifically emphasizes resistance or difficulty in the action. Remember to consider the context to make it effective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remove forcefully

Emphasizes the use of force in the act of removing something or someone.

pull away

Focuses on the act of pulling something, implying a separation or distancing.

haul off

Suggests a forceful removal or carrying away, often with effort.

tow away

Specifically refers to pulling something with a vehicle or using a rope.

force out

Suggests compelling someone to leave a place or position against their will.

carry off

Implies successfully removing or taking something, sometimes suggesting theft.

pluck away

Describes a quick and precise removal, as if picking something delicately.

clear away

Focuses on the action of making something disappear from sight by removing it.

extract

Involves carefully removing something, often requiring precision or effort.

shift

Moving something small from a particular place.

FAQs

How can I use "drag away" in a sentence?

You can use "drag away" to describe the forceful removal of someone or something, as in "The police had to drag away the protesters" or "The city will drag away the eyesores, and the offender is sent the bill for removing them".

What are some alternatives to "drag away"?

Alternatives include "pull away", "haul off", or "remove forcefully" depending on the specific context.

What is the difference between "drag away" and "lead away"?

"Drag away" implies resistance or unwillingness, while "lead away" suggests a more cooperative or guided movement.

Is "drag away" formal or informal language?

"Drag away" is generally considered neutral language suitable for news reports or descriptive writing, but is usually avoided in "formal business" contexts.