what a drag

USAGE SUMMARY

"what a drag" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is usually used to express disappointment, frustration, or exhaustion. For example: My flight got cancelled, and now I'm stuck here for one more day. What a drag!.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

What a drag.

The New Yorker

What a drag that was.

The New York Times

(What a drag that would have been).

The New Yorker

And Shakespeare, what a drag!

The Guardian - Opinion

What a drag of a way to start the day.

The New York Times - Arts

What a drag it is getting old, even if it's just make-believe.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

But, oh, what a massive drag this extravaganza proves to be: endless trundling without cinematic edits.

Independent

The idea of what a voguing drag queen from Harlem would do if plunked down in an environment that eschewed presentation is amusing to contemplate.

The New Yorker

In addition to explaining what a "butt drag" is, he said, he has also been trying to reassure people that the behavior that allegedly happened on the mat is not a regular occurrence.

The New York Times

And we want to see what other people are doing and what their covers look like!" That's how I had discovered David Bowie: "What a pretty drag queen!" That's how you discovered things.

The Guardian - Music

For equity investors, the huge swing from surplus to deficit is a plus, because it turns what was a drag on growth into a boost.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what a drag" to express mild disappointment or frustration in informal contexts. It's suitable for everyday situations where something is inconvenient or annoying.

Common error

Avoid using "what a drag" in formal or professional communication. It may come across as unprofessional or dismissive. Opt for more neutral language such as "that's unfortunate" or "that's disappointing".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what a drag" functions as an interjection or exclamation. It expresses a subjective feeling of disappointment, boredom, or frustration. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Social Media

1%

Wiki

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what a drag" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express feelings of disappointment, boredom, or frustration. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage. It's best suited for informal settings, as overusing it in formal situations could be perceived as unprofessional. Alternatives like "what a pity" or "that's a shame" can be used in more formal contexts. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media sources, indicating its prevalence in everyday language. While versatile, it's crucial to consider the context and audience when employing this expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what a pity

Expresses regret or disappointment about a situation.

what a bore

Indicates that something is dull and uninteresting.

how annoying

Expresses frustration or irritation with something.

how tiresome

Highlights the exhausting or wearying nature of something.

that's too bad

Shows sympathy or disappointment about an unfortunate event.

that's a shame

Expresses regret or disappointment.

that's a bummer

Indicates disappointment or misfortune in a more informal way.

what a letdown

Highlights the disappointment of unmet expectations.

how disappointing

Directly expresses the feeling of disappointment.

that's unfortunate

Indicates that something is not favorable or lucky.

FAQs

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

You can use "what a drag" to express disappointment or boredom. For example, "The movie was so boring, /s/what+a+drag/!"

What are some alternatives to "what a drag"?

Alternatives include "what a pity", "that's too bad", or "that's a shame", depending on the context.

Is "what a drag" appropriate for formal communication?

No, "what a drag" is generally considered informal and is best suited for casual conversations or informal writing. Use more professional language in formal settings.

What does "what a drag" mean?

"What a drag" means something is disappointing, boring, or inconvenient. It expresses a feeling of mild frustration or dissatisfaction.