drag down
Weigh upon heavily
To drag down is to pull someone or something to a lower level—physically, emotionally, or in status.
A sinking ship drags down nearby vessels.
A scandal drags down a politician's approval ratings.
A pessimistic friend can drag down your mood.
The phrase often implies that one thing's decline causes another's: Don't let his negativity drag you down.
To obstruct movement
- hamperObstruct or clothes basket
- slowLacking in speed
- hold backPrevent forward movement
- restrainLimit freedom of movement
retard · stall · delay · obstruct · inhibit · handicap · encumber · stifle
Measure of heaviness
- anchorSecures ships to seabed
- millstoneGrain-crushing circular stone
- albatrossLong-winged oceanic bird
- encumbranceHindrance or legal claim
deadweight · ballast · yoke · liability · handicap · impediment · shackle · load
Diminish someone's confidence
dampen · dishearten · bring low · weigh on · sap · drain · exhaust · deject
Express low opinion of
- denigrateCriticize unfairly to harm
- belittleTo make something seem unimportant
- demeanLower in standing
- diminishTo make smaller
lower · tarnish · discredit · defame · cheapen · debase · dishonor · sully
Suggest involvement in wrongdoing
- involveTo contain as part
- entangleTwist into confusion
- compromiseAgreement through mutual sacrifice
- taintMake impure
associate · accomplice · co-conspirator · connection · link · tie · embroil · enmesh
impede
To obstruct movement
restrain · retard · stall · delay · obstruct · inhibit · handicap · encumber · stifle · thwart
weight
Measure of heaviness
- anchorSecures ships to seabed
- millstoneGrain-crushing circular stone
- albatrossLong-winged oceanic bird
encumbrance · deadweight · ballast · yoke · liability · handicap · impediment · shackle · load · onus
discourage
Diminish someone's confidence
deflate · dampen · dishearten · bring low · weigh on · sap · drain · exhaust · deject · desolate
disparage
Express low opinion of
- denigrateCriticize unfairly to harm
- belittleTo make something seem unimportant
- demeanLower in standing
diminish · lower · tarnish · discredit · defame · cheapen · debase · dishonor · sully · besmirch
implicate
Suggest involvement in wrongdoing
- involveTo contain as part
- entangleTwist into confusion
- compromiseAgreement through mutual sacrifice
taint · associate · accomplice · co-conspirator · connection · link · tie · embroil · enmesh
- Takedownssingle leg, double leg, duck under, foot sweep, leg sweep
- disparagementdefame, denigrate, disparage, malign, slander
- tacklestackle, shoulder tackle, arm tackle, ankle tackle, diving tackle