draw up

verb

drew up; drawn up; drawing up; draws up

transitive verb

1

: to bring (a body of troops) into array

2

: to prepare a draft or version of

draw up plans

3

: to bring to a halt

4

: to straighten (oneself) to an erect posture especially as an assertion of dignity or resentment

intransitive verb

: to come to a halt

the car drew up at the door

Synonyms

• arrest
• bring up
• catch
• check
• fetch up
• halt
• hold up
• pull up
• stall
• stay
• still
• stop

Examples of draw up in a Sentence

he drew up his horse outside the tavern

drew up the troops into a line along the ridge

Recent Examples on the Web

Defenses continue to watch film on Darnold, but O'Connell could draw up some trickery by adding Jones to the mix. —Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2024

Out of that stoppage, Rivers drew up an easy play to get Antetokounmpo moving downhill toward the rim. —Eric Nehm, The Athletic, 21 Nov. 2024

In most cases, parents will work with their legal representatives to draw up guidelines that cover important aspects, such as emergency situations, holidays, or other big decisions. —Christin Perry, Parents, 9 Oct. 2024

Many Floridians weary of the twin threats of this fall’s mean season and double-digit rate hikes have indeed been drawing up plans to leave. —Pat Beall, Sun Sentinel, 4 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1608, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Kids Definition

draw up

verb

1

: to arrange (as troops) in order

2

: to prepare a draft or version of

draw up plans

3

: to straighten (oneself) to an erect posture

drew himself up angrily and left the room

4

: to bring or come to a stop

the car drew up at the door