draw up

To write a document or prepare a detailed plan.

• We need to draw up a plan.
• She drew up a list of possible guests.
• Has the lawyer drawn up the contract yet?

How to use it: draw something up (The lawyer drew the agreement up yesterday.)

Similar words: prepare, draft

Common phrases: draw up a contract, draw up a plan, draw up a list

If a vehicle does this, it stops after moving towards a place.

• A car drew up outside.
• The bus drew up beside the station.
• Two taxis had drawn up at the entrance.

How to use it: draw up outside/beside something (A taxi drew up outside the hotel.)

Similar words: pull up, stop

Common phrases: draw up outside, draw up alongside, draw up beside someone

To pull something upwards or closer to your body.

• She drew up her knees.
• He drew his legs up onto the sofa.
• The child had drawn up her feet to avoid the water.

How to use it: draw something up to something (She drew her knees up to her chest.)

Similar words: pull up, raise

Opposites: lower

Common phrases: draw up your knees, draw up your legs

To place people or things in ordered lines or groups.

• The officer drew up his troops.
• They drew the soldiers up in a square.
• The guards were drawn up outside the palace.

How to use it: draw someone/something up in something (The officer drew the soldiers up in two rows.)

Similar words: arrange, line up

Common phrases: draw up troops, draw up soldiers

To make a vehicle or horse stop moving.

• The driver drew up the carriage.
• She drew her horse up at the gate.
• He drew up the coach beside the inn.

Similar words: stop, halt

Common phrases: draw up a carriage, draw up the coach