draw up — prepare a document
phrasal verbB2IELTS 5.5+neutralcommon
to write and organize an official paper, plan, or list, usually in a careful and detailed way.
Say it like a native
Textbook Our solicitor will prepare the formal written agreement.
Native Our solicitor will draw up the contract.
'Draw up' is the standard verb for preparing formal documents; 'prepare the formal written agreement' is redundant.
Pattern: draw up [object]
In use
- The lawyer will draw up the contract for us to sign.work
- In my previous job, I often had to draw up reports for my manager, which helped me improve my writing skills.IELTS speaking
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').
Common collocations
draw up + document/plan— a contract, a list, plans, an agreement
Don't confuse it
'Draw up' is more formal than 'write' and is used for official or important documents.