draw on

British  

verb

1. (intr, preposition) to use or exploit (a source, fund, etc)

   to draw on one's experience

2. (intr, adverb) to come near

   the time for his interview drew on

3. (tr, preposition) to withdraw (money) from (an account)

4. (tr, adverb) to put on (clothes)

5. (tr, adverb) to lead further; entice or encourage

   the prospect of nearing his goal drew him on

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draw on Idioms  

1. Approach, as in As evening draws on, we'll make our way back to the house . [First half of 1500s]

2. Put on a piece of clothing, as in She drew on her gloves . [Early 1700s]

3. Also, draw upon . Make use of something or someone. For example, This dictionary draws on many different sources , or The chairman was good at drawing upon the various members for their expertise . [Mid-1600s]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

draw on

That would leave you with roughly $300,000 to draw on over your lifetime.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 3, 2026

The allegations draw on findings from a seven-month board investigation into the trades that sent the country’s largest exporter of wood pellets spiraling toward insolvency.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 27, 2026

A majority are women, many of whom draw on their experience as parents; this matters because people often seek health information from others whose experiences resemble their own.

From Slate ● Aug. 27, 2026

The family syndicate matched five main numbers and the Bonus Ball in the lottery draw on 24 June.

From BBC ● Aug. 12, 2026

“This is your bedroom. Make it entirely your own—move the books around, draw on the walls if you want to. I knitted you a jersey.”

From "Impossible Creatures" by Katherine Rundell