PhrasesHub

Drag race

    Definitions

      • Competition or contest
        Referring to a high-speed race between two or more vehicles, typically cars or motorcycles, to see who can reach the finish line first.

      • Comparison or analogy
        Describing a situation where two or more individuals or groups are in direct competition, often used in a figurative sense to highlight the intensity or speed of the rivalry.

      • Something that is quickly or easily accomplished
        Used to convey that a task or activity can be completed swiftly or smoothly without much effort or difficulty, often used in a sarcastic or ironic manner.

      • Excessive or reckless speed
        Describing a situation where someone is moving at a dangerously fast pace, often used to criticize someone for being careless or irresponsible.

    Examples of Drag race

    • The two companies are in a drag race to bring their new product to the market.

      The idiom "drag race" here means a competition or a contest where both participants are doing everything they can to be the first to reach a goal. In this case, both companies are trying to beat each other in launching their product. ANOTHER

    • In the cityCenter, the traffic lights seem to be in a drag race, turning green all at once, causing massive traffic.

      Here, the idiom "drag race" is used to describe a situation where several things happen simultaneously, but at a very fast pace. ANOTHER

    • The entrepreneurs are drag racing their ideas, trying to implement them as quickly as possible.

      This example uses the idiom "drag racing" to explain a situation where a group of people is competing with each other to put their ideas into action as soon as possible. As they try to be the first one to succeed, they are "drag racing" their ideas.

    • My friend's business is drag racing towards success.

      In this last example, the idiom "drag racing" could represent a successful journey towards an ultimate goal, with all its fast-paced and competing moments. It could also suggest that this journey is for the benefit of all stakeholders, that is, the people who contribute to and benefit from the goal's attainment.

    • The competitors are dragging their feet in completing this project, we need to push them into a drag race against our rival firm to finish this project on time.

      In this example, the idiom "Dragging feet" indicates reluctance, procrastination and delay in doing something. Here it means the project team is not working efficiently to deliver the project in time. The phrase "Drag race" is used metaphorically to create a sense of urgency and competition among the teams to finish the project at the earliest.

    • The sales department is not performing well, let's engage them in a drag race to increase their sales numbers and generate more revenue for the company.

      In this example, the idiom "Dragging feet" is replaced by "Not performing well," which also signifies sluggishness and lack of productivity. The phrase "Drag race" is again used metaphorically to compete between teams to achieve higher sales targets.

    • The software testing team is struggling to find the bugs, let's put them through a series of drag races to identify all the bugs before release.

      In this example, the phrase "Dragging feet" is replaced by "Struggling to find bugs." The use of "Drag race" in a testing context means conducting a series of tests with increasing intensity and complexity to ensure thorough and comprehensive testing.

    • The new marketing campaign is not generating the expected results, let's put it through a drag race with different strategies and tactics to make it more effective.

      In this example, the phrase "Not generating expected results" means the campaign is not meeting the desired objectives. The phrase "Drag race" is used to compare different marketing strategies and identify the most effective one through a series of tests.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "drag race" has multiple meanings, all of which revolve around the concept of competition and speed. The primary use of the idiom is to refer to a high-speed race between vehicles, but it can also be used as a comparison or analogy for any intense competition or rivalry. Additionally, it can be used to describe something that is easily accomplished or to criticize someone for moving at a reckless pace.

    Origin of "Drag race"

    The origin of the idiom "drag race" is believed to come from the early 20th century in the United States. It was first used in the context of horse racing, where horses would compete in a straight line or "drag" to the finish line. The term was later applied to automobile racing in the 1920s and 1930s, specifically referring to races where cars would "drag" race down a straight road.

    The popularity of drag racing grew in the 1950s and 1960s, particularly in the United States, as it became associated with the emerging car culture and the desire for speed and adrenaline. Today, drag racing is a recognized motorsport with organized events and competitions held around the world.

    The use of the idiom "drag race" has expanded beyond the realm of racing to describe any intense competition or rivalry. Its origins in the world of automobile racing have solidified its association with speed and competition, making it a fitting metaphor for any situation where individuals or groups are striving to be the best or come out on top.