Major drags on a team's progress, metaphorically
Published by Naitik Mehta · March 30, 2026
Stuck on the clue Major drags on a team's progress, metaphorically from the New York Times Daily for March 30, 2026? We have the correct 11-letter answer, including the definition, alternative hints, as well as other answers from the same crossword. Ready to learn more about this clue?
Clue
Major drags on a team's progress, metaphorically (11)
Answer
The answer to Major drags on a team's progress, metaphorically is Deadweights (11 letters).
Why does Deadweights fit this clue?
This clue uses a metaphorical definition to point to DEADWEIGHTS, meaning people or things that hinder progress or impose a burden without contributing value. A dead weight is literally an inert mass that provides no assistance, like cargo that must be carried but serves no purpose. The phrase 'major drags' reinforces this sense of something that slows down or impedes forward movement. In team contexts, deadweights are members who contribute little while consuming resources, creating friction that prevents the group from achieving its goals efficiently.
What does Major drags on a team's progress, metaphorically mean?
We break down each word in the clue and show its dictionary definitions below.
drags
noun
•things that slow down or hinder progress
verb
•pulls or slows something down
metaphorically
adverb
•in a figurative or symbolic sense, not literally
Where did this clue appear?
This clue appeared as 24-down in the New York Times Daily on March 30, 2026, by Gary Cee, edited by Will Shortz. See all answers for this puzzle.
Read the NYT Wordplay column for this puzzle.
NYT Daily — Mar 30, 2026
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What does Deadweights mean?
noun
•Unremitting heavy weight that does not move.
•The largest weight of cargo a ship is able to carry; i.e, the weight of a ship when fully loaded minus its weight when empty.
Origin of the word Deadweights
•origin: Middle English 'ded' + 'weight'
•period: 14th century
The term originally referred to the literal weight of a lifeless body or inert cargo, before evolving to describe anything that is a burden or hindrance without providing useful contribution.
How to use Deadweights in a sentence
Here are 3 examples of how to use the word Deadweights.
•“The two employees who constantly missed deadlines and avoided responsibilities became deadweights that the project team couldn't afford to carry any longer.”
•“After the merger, the company had to identify and eliminate several deadweight divisions that were draining resources without contributing to profitability.”
•“Rather than letting underperforming members remain as deadweights, the startup decided to restructure and focus on hiring only highly motivated individuals.”
Learn about related clues
All clues from the New York Times Daily, Mar 30, 2026 crossword
The New York Times Daily for March 30, 2026 was published by Gary Cee and has 78 clues. Curious about all the answers from this crossword puzzle? View all answers here.
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Frequently asked questions about Major drags on a team's progress, metaphorically
- What is the answer to Major drags on a team's progress, metaphorically?
- The answer is Deadweights (11 letters).
- Where did this clue appear?
- This clue was last seen in the New York Times Daily on March 30, 2026.
- How many letters does the answer to Major drags on a team's progress, metaphorically have?
- The answer has 11 letters: Deadweights.
Author
Naitik Mehta
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Naitik is a gaming enthusiast who loves solving daily word games and enjoys the friendly competition from time to time. He is the co-founder of Crossword Chef and enjoys thinking about how to make crossword solving more fun for everyone around the world.
Puzzle
NYT Daily — Mar 30, 2026
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