The coddled, low-productivity east is an expensive drag on the innovative, high-productivity west.

ECONOMIST: The German economy

In rich countries, competition from millions of new, low-skilled workers has acted as a drag on wages for less-skilled ones in advanced economies.

ECONOMIST: Unbalanced skill levels could make the world more unequal

The precautions that make Mr. Tsarnaev inaccessible to other prisoners can be a drag for low-security inmates.

WSJ: Tsarnaev Is Getting Care and High Security

Having a lot of low-quality pages hanging off your site will also drag down your overall ranking--even for pages that feature the kind of content Google wants to promote.

FORBES: Magazine Article

Villa looked more lively early in the second half but, after Stiliyan Petrov drifted a clever cross-field ball into the heart of Pompey's back-pedalling defence, Young - with time and space to spare - could only drag a low shot well wide.

BBC: Aston Villa 0-0 Portsmouth

Britain spent the next 15 minutes defending and the predictable outcome was another penalty-corner goal, with Ribas' low drag flick going through Mason's legs.

BBC: GB could not hold their lead

Better aerodynamics (replacing side mirrors with digital lenses, for instance, to reduce drag and wind noise), lower-resistance tires, low-voltage engine accessories, lighter vehicle structures there's a lot on the agenda.

WSJ: Ford C-Max Hybrid Energi: The Bawdy Electric

Some teams make low-ball offers, agents make higher offers while seeking better deals, and the process may drag until decisions finally have to be made weeks later.

FORBES: Ready, Set, Sign: NFL Free-Agent Frenzy Set To Commence

Its low interest rates, which drag down the currency, can entice arbitrageurs to borrow yen and buy higher-yielding notes elsewhere (see the crushing run-up in the Kiwi dollar) in what is called the carry trade, while favorably priced imports of Japanese manufacture, especially autos, are rubbing salt in wounded places like Detroit.

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