drag down

1. To physically move something from a higher location to a lower one. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "drag" and "down." Every day, the kids drag lots of toys down from their bedrooms, and every night, they whine about having to take them back upstairs. Let me drag down the air mattress so we can get the living room set up as your temporary bedroom. A: "What was all that commotion?" B: "I was trying to drag down a box of books, and it broke on me."

2. To cause a decrease in the standard or quality of something. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "drag" and "down." It seems that all the construction in this part of town is dragging down our real estate prices. Ugh, that really bad grade I got on one test has dragged down my entire average. Well, news of this recall will certainly drag down the manufacturer's reputation.

3. slang To cause one to feel sad or demoralized. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "drag" and "down." Honestly, having to listen to you two fight all the time is really dragging me down. It makes total sense that you're sad—a break-up would drag anyone down for a while. I don't spend much time around Bill anymore. His constant complaining just really dragged me down.

drag down

1. To pull something or someone from a higher to a lower position: She dragged down the boxes from the attic. Help me drag the camping gear down the hill.

2. To lower the quality, character, or value of something or someone: His disruptions are dragging down the performance of the other students. Recent events have dragged prices down.

3. Slang To exhaust, discourage, or depress someone: All this work is really dragging me down. The lowered salaries have dragged down morale.