draw out

British  

verb

1. to extend or cause to be extended

   he drew out his stay

2. (tr) to cause (a person) to talk freely

   she's been quiet all evening – see if you can draw her out

3. Also: draw from.  to elicit (information) (from)

   he managed to draw out of his son where he had been

4. (tr) to withdraw (money) as from a bank account or a business

5. (intr) (of hours of daylight) to become longer

6. (intr) (of a train) to leave a station

7. (tr) to extend (troops) in line; lead from camp

8. (intr) (of troops) to proceed from camp

---

draw out Idioms  

1. Pull out, extract, remove, as in She drew out her pen , or Let's draw some money out of the bank . [c. 1300]

2. Prolong, protract, as in This meal was drawn out over four hours . The related expression long-drawn-out means “greatly extended or protracted,” as in The dinner was a long-drawn-out affair . [1500s]

3. Induce to speak freely, as in The teacher was good at drawing out the children . [Late 1700s]

---

Example Sentences

His attentiveness will be closely watched in the Maduro case, as tussling between the defense and prosecution has already threatened to draw out proceedings.

From Barron's

With an anxious glance at the door, Nollie dropped to her knees, reached beneath the single bed, which was all our tiny room would hold, and drew out a little round hat box.

From Literature

Aunt Maud pulled down the oven door and drew out a sheet of her drop biscuits.

From Literature

Plunging his hand into his cape, he drew out a mangy brown mouse.

From Literature

Mr. Lew was using a crowbar to pry nails from a large wooden box while Ma sifted through tufts of straw and drew out enamel plates from one that was already open.

From Literature

Related Words

• drag out
• elongate
• protract