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

The architect drawing up the masterplan is Populous, the same firm that designed Arsenal and Tottenham’s new homes, as well as Dublin’s Aviva Stadium, Wembley and The Sphere in Las Vegas. —Richard Sutcliffe, The Athletic, 14 Feb. 2025

The incident allegedly occurred on Jan. 14 at Toney's residence in Douglasville, Georgia; the arrest warrants were drawn up the following day. —Christine Pelisek, People.com, 12 Feb. 2025

The budget blueprint sets the parameters for other committees to draw up pieces of a reconciliation bill in their jurisdiction. —Nick Sobczyk, Axios, 5 Feb. 2025

The Bobcats drew up a play to start the extra session, and scored in just 10 seconds, leaving Minnesota fans stunned and many players sobbing before their flight home with a big silver trophy. —Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 4 Feb. 2025

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