dragnet
C1Formal / Journalistic
Definition
Meaning
A net pulled through water or across the ground to catch fish or game, or figuratively, a systematic search for criminals.
A comprehensive, coordinated search or investigation involving multiple resources (e.g., police, media) to find someone or something.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primary meaning is a type of fishing net; secondary, more common modern meaning is a large-scale law enforcement operation. The latter is a metaphorical extension.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both use the term similarly. The 1940s-60s American radio/TV show 'Dragnet' solidified the law enforcement association globally.
Connotations
In both regions, it connotes an intense, methodical, and widespread search, often with a slightly dramatic or media-sensationalised tone.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English due to its historical association with the famous police procedural.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[subject] launched a dragnet for [object]A dragnet was put out for [object]The [adjective] dragnet [verb]...Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “cast a dragnet”
- “dragnet of surveillance”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Could be used metaphorically for a broad talent search ('a hiring dragnet').
Academic
Used in criminology, law, and media studies to describe coordinated police actions.
Everyday
Understood but infrequent. More likely in news contexts about major police searches.
Technical
In fishing, refers to a specific trawling net. In law enforcement/IT, can describe data surveillance systems.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The authorities decided to dragnet the entire region, a tactic rarely used here.
- They dragnetted the harbour for the missing vessel.
American English
- The FBI dragnetted the digital landscape for traces of the hacker.
- The police dragnetted the suspect's known associates.
adverb
British English
- The search was conducted dragnet-style across five counties.
- They worked dragnet, leaving no stone unturned.
American English
- They searched dragnet-fashion throughout the metro area.
- The agency operates dragnet, monitoring vast communications.
adjective
British English
- The dragnet operation concluded at dawn.
- They employed dragnet tactics to screen all passengers.
American English
- A dragnet approach to data collection raises privacy concerns.
- The dragnet investigation yielded dozens of leads.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The fishermen used a dragnet to catch many fish.
- The police did a big search for the lost dog.
- After the robbery, the police set up a dragnet around the city.
- A dragnet caught hundreds of fish in the lake.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine police DRAGGing a large NET across a city to catch a fugitive.
Conceptual Metaphor
LAW ENFORCEMENT IS FISHING (casting a net to catch 'prey').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'dredger' (земснаряд). Avoid direct translation as 'тяговая сеть' in non-fishing contexts. The law enforcement term is often translated as 'масштабная облава' or 'спецоперация'.
Common Mistakes
- Using it for a small-scale search (incorrect). Confusing 'dragnet' with 'drag race'. Using it as a verb (rare and non-standard).
Practice
Quiz
Which scenario best illustrates the use of 'dragnet' in its modern, figurative sense?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, its most common contemporary use is metaphorical, describing large-scale, systematic police searches or investigations.
While understood, its use as a verb ('to dragnet') is rare and considered informal or journalistic. Nouns like 'conduct a dragnet' are preferred.
A 'manhunt' is specifically for a person. A 'dragnet' can be for a person, objects, or information, and emphasises the methodical, net-like, wide-ranging nature of the search.
It can. When referring to surveillance or data collection, it often carries a negative connotation of being indiscriminate and invasive. In straightforward crime-fighting contexts, it is generally neutral.