<方>to tow a smaller boat for docking

谈恋爱to be in a relationship

• 我有个堂弟已“拍拖”七八年了，最近决定在5月择吉定婚。

  I have a cousin who has been in a relationship for seven or eight years, and recently decided to get married on an auspicious date in May.

• 他们拍拖五个月便踏入结婚礼堂。

  They were in a relationship for five months and then stepped into the marriage hall.