drag something ↔ out phrasal verb (see also drag)
to make an event or situation last longer than is necessary:
Neither of them wanted to drag the divorce out longer than they had to.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

prolong to make something last longer:
The issue divided the country and prolonged the civil war.
Successful treatment is prolonging people's lives.
No one wants to prolong the violence.
This would only prolong the unhappiness she felt.
lengthen to make something last longer than the usual time:
They suggested lengthening the training period for new teachers.
New security measures have lengthened the time passengers spend in airports.
extend to make something that is coming to an end continue for a longer period of time – used especially about official arrangements such as contracts and visas:
They agreed to extend his contract by a year.
The offer has been extended for a further fourteen days.
I applied to extend my visa.
drag something out to make a situation or event last longer than necessary:
I wish they'd make a decision and not keep dragging it out.
Each side accused the other of dragging out the negotiations.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲

drag out
See: DRAG ON.
{v.}
1. To pass very slowly.
The cold winter months dragged on until we thought spring would never come.

2. To prolong; make longer.
The meeting would have been over quickly if the members had not dragged out the argument about dues.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲