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

Head coach Kris Sparre drew up a reenactment of his team captain’s golden goal to begin practice. —Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 27 Feb. 2026

Certain assistants are also tasked with drawing up each opponents’ plays as part of weekly preparation. —Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 26 Feb. 2026

In most states, state legislators draw up maps, and the governor has the power to veto it. —Ramon Padilla, USA Today, 26 Feb. 2026

In Spain, amid factionalism and undercover alliances—few knew who, on the left, reported to the Stalinists and helped draw up lists for execution, or who on either side actually directed the action—Ginny’s goal seemed dangerous, even crazy. —Literary Hub, 24 Feb. 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