"a rastras" o "sacar a rastras"

Question

Hechos 21:30 NVI: Toda la ciudad se alborotó. La gente se precipitó en masa, agarró a Pablo y lo sacó del templo a rastras ...

Acts 21:30 NIV: The whole city was aroused and the people came running from all directions. Seizing Paul, they dragged him from the temple ...

Does "a rastras" or "lo sacó a rastras" translate to "dragging" or "took him out, dragging him"? This phrase is not (yet) in our Phrasebook.

Thanks for any light y'all can shine on this!

Answer 1

Great translation. Sacar a rastras means exactly to drag someone out of a place. The whole expression is usually required (including sacar). There are similar expressions such as Sacar por el pelo.

Thanks! I'v submitted this phrase for inclusion in the Phrasebook. - LaBurra, Jan 24, 2011

Answer 2

I found some related words:

arrastrar = to drag or to pull

el arrastre, la rastra = the act of dragging