Questions & Answers about Jag drar mig för att säga nej.
What does the expression drar mig för mean here?
Used reflexively with the preposition för, att dra sig för is a common idiom meaning to be reluctant to, to hesitate to, or to shy away from doing something. Literally, it is like saying you are pulling yourself away from an uncomfortable action.
Does för att in this sentence mean 'in order to'?
No, and this is a common trap! Here, för is simply the preposition that naturally follows the reflexive verb drar mig. The att is just the infinitive marker (to) that belongs to the next verb, säga. It just happens to sit next to för.
Can I use drar mig för with a noun instead of an action?
Yes, you can. If you are reluctant about a thing or an event rather than a verb, you drop the att and just use för plus the noun. For example, Jag drar mig för mötet means you are dreading or reluctant about the meeting.
How does drar mig för differ from the verb tvekar (hesitate)?
Tvekar means to hesitate in the sense of being undecided or pausing before making a choice. Drar sig för carries a much stronger sense of emotional reluctance, avoidance, or mild dread because the action itself is unpleasant, such as saying no to someone.