drag the chain

 The term stems from the railway when chains and hooks connected the carriages or goods trucks. If the rear chain came lose from the secured position it would drag on the ground slowing progress.

Verb

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drag the chain (third-person singular simple present drags the chain, present participle dragging the chain, simple past and past participle dragged the chain)

Drag the chain" is an Australian slang term that means to lag behind or shirk/avoid one's fair share of work. 

To fall behind relative to others.

To unwittingly hold up progress.

To deliberately hold up progress by acting slowly.

Act’s dragging of the chain seems designed to prevent progress on this important issue.

References

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http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/tandf/taps/2003/00000038/00000003/art00003