Grammar fix
drag someone down
drain someone's mood
To have a continuing negative effect on someone's mood, energy, or progress.
phrasal verb
How oftenCommon
LevelB2
Used inSpeech & writing
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
Constant arguments at home were dragging her down and affecting her work.
My last job was really dragging me down. I was tired all the time and stopped seeing friends, so I finally quit last spring.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: My job makes me down — I'm tired all the time.
Say: My job is dragging me down — I'm tired all the time.
'Make' needs an adjective ('makes me sad'); for something slowly draining your mood, say 'drag me down'.
Don't confuse it
Other ways to say it
Make someone feel sad
How strongLower moodDraining effect
bring someone downMaking someone feel unhappy or less positive.get downEveryday problems or circumstances lowering someone's mood.
drag someone downYou're here · A negative influence repeatedly lowering someone's mood.