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draw up — 2 meanings

One phrase, 2 different jobs. Tap a meaning to jump to it — then lock each one in by saying it out loud.

phrasal verb2 meanings
  1. 1 prepare a documentto write and organize an official paper, plan, or list, usually in a careful and detailed way.
  2. 2 come to a stopto arrive and stop, especially referring to a vehicle or a person approaching and halting, often used in formal or narrative contexts.

All meanings, in depth

Ordered by how often you'll hear each one — the meaning tells you what it does, the examples and tips show it in use.

1

prepare a document

B2draw up sthMost common

to write and organize an official paper, plan, or list, usually in a careful and detailed way.

The lawyer will draw up the contract for us to sign.

A: Who's going to draw up the meeting agenda?
B: I'll do it this afternoon and send it to everyone.

In my previous job, I often had to draw up reports for my manager, which helped me improve my writing skills.

Common mistake

They drew up with a new plan.

They drew up a new plan.

'Draw up' takes the document/plan directly — no 'with' (that's 'come up with').

Tell it apart

We drew up a contract.

formally prepared the document

We came up with a plan.

thought of an idea
Use 'draw up' when talking about making something official, like a contract, plan, or set of rules.'Draw up' is more formal than 'write' and is used for official or important documents.

Often paired with

draw up + document/plan
2

come to a stop

C1draw up to/at sthwrittenformal

to arrive and stop, especially referring to a vehicle or a person approaching and halting, often used in formal or narrative contexts.

A sleek black limousine drew up outside the hotel entrance, attracting everyone's attention.

A: Did you see who just drew up at the gates?
B: No, but it looked like someone important.

As the bus drew up to the crowded stop, passengers began to gather their belongings in preparation to board.

Common mistake

A taxi drew up the entrance.

A taxi drew up outside the entrance. / A taxi pulled up at the entrance.

Needs a preposition: 'draw up outside/at + place'.

Tell it apart

A limousine drew up outside.

arrived and stopped — narrative

They drew up a contract.

prepared a document
'Draw up' in this sense is typically used in formal writing, news reports, or literary/narrative contexts to describe vehicles or people arriving and stopping. In everyday conversation, 'pull up' or simply 'stop' is more common.This sense is different from the B2 meaning of 'draw up' (to prepare a document). Here, it refers to the physical act of arriving and stopping, not to writing or organizing something.

Often paired with

draw up + location

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