draw up

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

Idioms and Phrases

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

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]

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

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

Example Sentences

The metrics used to draw up the rankings include patient waiting times for planned treatment and A&E care and also the financial performance of the trust.

From BBC

Labour's ruling body is due to meet to draw up plans for a deputy leadership election to replace Angela Rayner, who resigned last week after admitting to underpaying stamp duty.

From BBC

While the Texas drama unfolded, consultants for the campaign arm of House Democrats in California quietly drew up maps that would further chop down the number of Golden State Republicans in Congress.

From Los Angeles Times

Councils across England are considering similar legal challenges as ministers to draw up contingency plans for housing asylum seekers set to be removed from the Bell Hotel.

From BBC

Simultaneously, the government is holding a consultation on what safeguards are needed to "ensure transparency and public confidence", ahead of drawing up a new legal framework.

From BBC

Related Words

• formulate 
• prepare 
• write