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

Ask someone with imagination to draw up a workforce housing model.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 11, 2026

To create a narrative around the home, Gaetjens and Wines are now working with multiple architects to draw up plans for potential renovations that would help to give the property a much more modern feel.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 8, 2026

Various branches of the military draw up plans for all sorts of contingencies in case the president thinks about ordering one.

From Slate • Apr. 1, 2026

Gulf and European partners to draw up a plan to secure the strait.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 16, 2026

Later, I would draw up contracts for some of the firm’s African clients.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

Related Words

• formulate
• prepare
• write