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 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

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

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 30, 2026

Officials have said the funeral could draw up to 20 million mourners from across Iran, according to AFP.

From BBC ● Jul. 3, 2026

There is the $300 billion economic rehabilitation fund that the U.S. “undertakes” to draw up and implement only after a final deal.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 18, 2026

It’s calming to read about Egypt and then to draw up your own plan for a pyramid just because you feel like it.

From Each Little Bird That Sings by Deborah Wiles

Related Words

• formulate
• prepare
• write