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 of draw up

• stop
• halt
• catch
• stall
• pull up
• check
• stay

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

Armenians at home and in the diaspora voiced their outrage at the friendly message, drawing up grievances and cursing the government, often with expletives. —Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 25 Apr. 2026

Earlier in the week, USA TODAY exclusively reported that the Pentagon was asked to draw up contingency plans in case Trump decides to launch a military operation. —Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026

Sengun’s attempt at a game-winner when he got stood up by Jaxson Hayes on a turnaround baseline floater wasn’t the play the Rockets drew up, Udoka said. —Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2026

The backstory Having met at Cambridge, Caitlin Owens and Paul Glade combined their sharp hotelier and architectural minds to draw up plans for a regenerative organic farm in the Devon countryside. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1608, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for draw up

• backup
• blowup
• breakup
• buildup
• checkup
• cleanup
• holdup
• hookup
• lineup
• lockup
• makeup
• markup

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