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

That order was drawn up to fast-track and lower the cost of building affordable housing. — Linh Tat, Daily News, 11 Nov. 2026

In some respects, intimacy comes easily, as community members like Ellie and Tomas offer a helping hand to whomever is in need—yet Jack is alone for a long time, drawn up North by his wife who was desperate for solitude. — CBS News, 10 Nov. 2026

Blount drew up a play to inbound to forward Jose Roberto Tanchyn, who had two options – Jevon Hill in the near corner and Stromer running off a screen from the opposite corner. — Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2026

Some investors are drawing up their shopping lists to go bargain hunting following this week's rout. — Sarah Min, CNBC, 6 Nov. 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