draw up

British  

verb

1. to come or cause to come to a halt

2. (tr)

   1. to prepare a draft of (a legal document)

   2. to formulate and write out in appropriate form

      to draw up a contract

3. (used reflexively) to straighten oneself

4. to form or arrange (a body of soldiers, etc) in order or formation

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draw up Idioms  

1. Compose or write out in a set form, as in The lawyer drew up the contract . [First half of 1600s]

2. Arrange in order or formation, put in position, as in The band-leader drew up his players , or The officer drew up the troops . [c. 1600]

3. Bring or come to a halt, as in The car drew up to the curb . [Early 1800s]

4. draw oneself up . Assume an erect posture to express dignity or indignation. For example, She drew herself up and protested . [Mid-1800s]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

draw up

A lack of a substantial governing background has its advantages, too, as it allows her to draw up positions from scratch.

From Slate ● Oct. 22, 2026

Newly elected lawmaker Ana Elisa Santos, born during Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's first term, is now helping him draw up a social media master plan to nab a fourth mandate.

From Barron's ● Oct. 19, 2026

A judge found the leases illegal, and the VA reached a settlement committing to draw up a master plan for 1,200 units for homeless veterans.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 11, 2026

If he doesn’t find anything or doesn’t like what’s available, he’ll draw up his own design.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 15, 2026

“We’ll draw up the nightstand for the board.”

From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson

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Related Words

• formulate
• prepare
• write

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